UPMSP Vocational Plant Nursery key terms

A prepared area of soil, usually raised and level, where seeds are sown or seedlings are raised before transplanting. Beds are laid out for easy access, drainage and uniform light.

A planting bed built up above ground level with soil or media, bordered by boards, bricks or soil slopes. It improves drainage, warms earlier and reduces bending and soil compaction.

A healthy, true-to-type plant kept specifically as a source of seed, cuttings, scion wood or buds. It is managed for vigour and freedom from pests and disease.

The proportion of seeds in a lot that are alive and capable of germinating under suitable conditions. It is tested by germination tests and declines with poor storage.

The number of seedlings that emerge normally, expressed as a percentage of the seeds sown. It guides sowing rate and is measured in a standard germination test.

A resting state in which viable seeds fail to germinate even when moisture and warmth are adequate. It may be broken by scarification, stratification, light or after-ripening treatments.

Treating a hard seed coat by abrasion, hot water or acid so water can enter and germination can start. It is used for seeds with impermeable coats such as many legumes.

Storing seeds in a moist medium at cool or cold temperature for a period to break internal dormancy. It mimics winter and is common for temperate tree and fruit seeds.

A piece of stem, leaf or root removed from a parent plant and placed in a medium to form roots and shoots. It produces a clone of the parent.

A preparation of synthetic auxin, often indole butyric acid, applied to the base of cuttings to encourage adventitious root formation. It is used at the correct concentration to avoid injury.

A mass of undifferentiated cells that forms over a wound such as a cut stem or graft union. Roots or shoots may later arise from it, and it helps seal the wound.

The short piece of shoot or single bud taken from the desired cultivar and joined to a rootstock. It forms the canopy and fruiting part of the grafted plant.

The lower plant, usually with an established root system, onto which a scion is grafted or budded. It supplies roots and can confer vigour, size control or disease resistance.

The joined point where scion and rootstock tissues grow together and form a continuous vascular connection. It must be aligned and bound until healing is complete.

A grafting method in which a single bud with a small shield of bark is inserted under the bark of a rootstock. It is economical with scion wood and widely used in fruit trees.

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil or media on a scale from 0 to 14. It strongly affects nutrient availability and which plants grow well.

A prepared mixture of materials such as soil, sand, peat, cocopeat or bark used to fill containers for raising plants. It must drain well, hold moisture and be free of pathogens.

Decayed organic matter produced by microbial breakdown of plant and animal wastes under controlled conditions. It adds nutrients, improves soil structure and water holding.

Organic fertiliser made by earthworms digesting moist organic waste into dark, nutrient-rich castings. It is used as a gentle soil amendment or media ingredient in nurseries.

Well-rotted dung and bedding from livestock used as a bulky organic manure. It supplies nutrients slowly and improves soil structure if fully decomposed before use.

Applying water slowly and directly to the root zone through small emitters in tubes. It saves water, reduces leaf wetness and allows fertigation in nursery containers or beds.

Watering plants from above with sprinklers, micro-sprinklers or hoses so water falls on leaves and media. It is simple but can wet foliage and encourage disease.

Supplying dissolved fertiliser to plants through the irrigation system. It delivers nutrients with water to the root zone and is common in container and drip systems.

The removal of excess water from soil, beds or containers so roots are not waterlogged. Good drainage prevents root rot and supplies air to roots.

A nursery structure covered with plastic film or net that controls temperature, humidity and light. It protects seedlings and cuttings and allows year-round production.

Woven netting with a stated shade percentage, stretched over a frame to reduce light and heat. It protects tender plants and reduces water loss in sunny conditions.

A propagation system that sprays fine water mist intermittently over cuttings to keep leaves turgid. It reduces transpiration while roots form under high humidity.

Gradually exposing nursery-raised plants to outdoor conditions before sale or field planting. It builds tougher tissues so plants survive the shock of transplanting.

A seedling disease in which stems rot at soil level and seedlings collapse. It is caused by fungi such as Pythium and Rhizoctonia and is worsened by overcrowding and wet media.

Decay of roots caused by fungi or waterlogging, showing as wilting, brown roots and poor growth. It is managed by good drainage, clean media and avoiding overwatering.

A combined approach to pests that uses monitoring, cultural and biological controls first and pesticides only when needed. It aims to keep damage below economic levels with least harm.

Using living organisms such as predators, parasitoids or pathogens to reduce pest populations. It is part of integrated pest management and needs careful timing and environment.

A chemical used to kill or suppress unwanted plants. In nurseries it must be chosen and applied carefully because young stock is easily injured.

Moving a seedling or young plant from its germination bed or container to a larger container or field site. It requires careful handling of roots and prompt watering.

A young plant grown from seed, usually before it is transplanted or sold. It has a delicate stem and small root system and needs protection and regular watering.

Cutting or restricting roots to encourage a compact, fibrous root system or to control size. In nursery stock it is done in beds or by moving plants in root trainers.

Nursery plants raised and sold in pots, bags or trays rather than bare-rooted from soil. They transplant with an intact root ball and can be sold year-round.

Nursery stock lifted from soil with the growing medium removed from the roots. It is cheaper to transport but must be kept moist and planted while dormant.

Sorting nursery stock into uniform size, quality and health classes before sale. It allows consistent pricing, honest labelling and easier handling.

Attaching clear information to nursery stock or its package, such as species name, variety, grade and date. It supports traceability, correct pricing and customer confidence.

Systematically writing down nursery activities and figures such as sowing, sales, costs and pesticide use. Good records support planning, costing, compliance and business decisions.

Money needed to run the nursery day to day, covering wages, seed, media, water and other short-term costs. It is recovered as stock is sold.