Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

the Horticultural Grade No. 2 should be used for rooting and No. 4 for seed
germination.
6. Perlite: This is gray white material having volcanic origin. It is neutral. It has no
buffering reaction and it contains no mineral nutrients.
7. Leaf Mold: It is prepared by using fallen leaves of various tree species available
locally, eg Oak, Silver oak, Maple, Azadirachta, Ficus, etc. it is prepared by stacking
a few layers of leaves then covering them with a thin layer of soil and cow dung
slurry. Some live culture of decomposing organisms is added to hasten the process
of decomposition. The medium is ready for use after about 12 to 18 months of
decomposition.
8. Saw Dust: It is a byproduct or waste material from saw mills. The quantity and
quality depend on the parent wood material. It is mixed while preparation of media.
9. Grain Husk: Several type of husks are available, paddy husk is one of the important
wastage from rice mills. It is light in weight and cheaply available. It is suitable for
mixing with other types of media.
10. Coco Peat: Coco peat, cow dung etc. are also used as media. A mixture of few
media is always preferred and used in commercial nurseries. Many times soil is one
of the main parts for mixtures. Media must be selected on the basis of the
availability, cost, ease in handling etc. The media should be procured and stored and
kept ready for use in nursery.
Coco Peat: Soil-less medium used in Nursery
2.2.4 Budding, Layering and Grafting in Horticulture
(A) Budding
It is the vegetative method of plant propagation and can be defined as an art or
technique of inserting a single matured bud taken from a desired tree in the rootstock, in
such a way that the union takes place, bud sprouts and the combination continues to
grow. When scion part is small piece of bark containing single bud, the operation is
called as budding.
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