Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

educes the ornamental value of the plant. Sometimes the plant dies due to heavy
infestation. This can be avoided by proper care of the plant, keeping good hygiene and
cleanliness. If attack is severe spraying of insecticides such as Malathion 2 ml per litre
water or Carbaryl 2 gm/litre can control the insects.
Diseases: Unlike pests, diseases also affect the health of the plant. Severe infection
of the disease results into death of the plant. Most of the diseases are caused by fungi.
The common diseases are wilt, blight, dieback and powdery mildew, all of them can be
controlled by spraying of non systemic fungicides like mancozeb-2.5 gm, captan1-1.5gm,
copper sulphate-2gm per lit of water. Copper oxy chloride-2.5gm and bavistin-1gm per lit
are also permitted fungicide use to control diseases. The seed /plant treatment with
fungicide at the time of planting also helps to reduce possibility of these infections. The
disease causes discoloration of the foliage, occurrence of the spots, lesions, and death of
the plant.
Care of Preserved Plant Specimens
Protection from Insects: The plant specimens prepared in the form of flashcards,
herbarium, photocopies, photographs etc are likely to be attacked by termites, silver fish
and cockroaches. They feed on cellulose of the paper and specimens. The best way to
protect specimen is by plastic coating which prevents insect damage as well as loss due to
excess moisture. Another way to protect specimen is to keep naphthalene tablets in the
cupboards and store. This also helps to prevent attack of insects by repelling them.
Total insect control can be obtained by fumigation. A regular inspection of the
samples enables proper care of the material.
Storage of specimen in glass or steel cupboards is secured and protected way to
maintain the specimen in good condition.
Non-Insect Pests: Rodents are the major cause of damage the plant specimens.
They chew the specimens into pieces and destroy them. Specimens should be stored in
shelves and cabinets to keep them away from rodents. The control measures such as
poisoning, fumigating and catching in cages reduces the risk of rodents.
Wetting of Specimen: The leakage in storage structures exposes the material to
water and may destroy the collection. It is absolutely necessary to keep storage leak
proof. Not only water but humidity and moisture can also prove fatal for the specimens to
be stored. Hence the store should have auto closing glass door in addition to usual
wooden doors. This minimizes the entry of moisture in the storage.
The plastic coated specimens are not affected by moisture. In heavy rainfall zone,
heaters are installed to maintain proper temperature and reduce extra humidity or auto
control ambient air conditioning is created.
Storage of specimen either in glass selves or steel cabinets also helps to avoid losses
due to excess moisture or leaking.
Protection from Fire: Fire in building destroys the valuable collection. Generally it
takes place due to short circuit, loose electric connections etc resulting into irreparable
losses. Sometimes it happens due to human error. One must be very careful to avoid
unforeseen losses of the plant library. Use of carbon cylinders as Anti-Fire device should
be installed.
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