Oil palm nursery bed ensures germination and proper growth of germinated seeds.
During the pre nursery establishment of oil palm ensure to use sprinkler and drip irrigation. Also constantly monitor diseased plants as these may show signs such as brown spotted leaves. Ensure to control weeds on ground between potted seedlings with a recommended chemical.
Site selection and preparation
Start by ensuring that the selected land is legal for agriculture, well drained with a flat surface. It is also important to locate nursery near water supply to ensure constant water supply with easy accessibility. Furthermore, clear vegetation, construct adequate drainage system to drain excess water and establish transport networks for easy transportation of planting materials and fence off the area to avoid theft and unwanted farm visitors.
Pre- nursery management
Start by filling, compacting either a black poly bags of sizes 6 x 9 cm or pot trays with growing medium and water daily. Thereafter properly arrange the filled growing pots with no spaces between the pots and plant germinated seeds at 2cm depth with roots pointing down and shoots up. Then cover seeds with thin soil layer and water twice a day by either sprinkler or drip methods. Also apply recommended fertilizers after seed germination and control weeds manually.
Main nursery management
Always use a black perforated bags of size 38cm x 48cm, this should be filled with the growing medium and compacted. Additionally, ensure water daily and arrange potted seedlings in triangular pattern. After 4 months transplant and place seedlings at centre of large bag and water regularly.
