Packaging of Nursery Material and Its Transportation
Introduction
Nursery material includes young plants, seedlings, saplings, grafts, rooted cuttings, bulbs, tubers, and other planting materials raised in a nursery for transplantation. Proper packaging and transportation of nursery material are crucial to ensure plants remain healthy, undamaged, and viable until they reach their final planting location.
Packaging of Nursery Material
The primary purpose of packaging nursery material is to protect the plants from physical damage, moisture loss, temperature extremes, and contamination during handling and transport. Proper packaging also helps in easy handling and improves the survival rate of plants.
Types of Nursery Material Packaging
- Bare-root Packaging
- Suitable for deciduous plants and some perennials that are lifted from the nursery without soil.
- Roots are carefully washed and wrapped in moist materials like wet gunny bags, sphagnum moss, sawdust, or wet newspaper to retain moisture.
- Then tied securely with string or plastic wrap to avoid root injury and drying.
- Advantage: Lightweight and less expensive to transport.
- Example: Apple or guava saplings often transported bare-root.
- Root Ball Packaging
- Used for larger plants or plants with a fibrous root system.
- The root ball (soil around roots) is dug carefully and wrapped with moist gunny bags, polyethylene sheets, or burlap sacks to retain moisture.
- Sometimes tied with twine or placed in baskets or wooden boxes.
- This method reduces transplant shock by protecting roots and maintaining soil moisture.
- Example: Mango or coconut saplings.
- Polybag or Container Packaging
- Plants raised in polybags or pots are transported with the container intact.
- Polybags or pots are sturdy and allow easier handling and transplantation.
- For small plants, grouping several plants in cardboard boxes with holes for air circulation is common.
- Advantage: Minimal root disturbance.
- Example: Ornamental plants, vegetables seedlings.
- Bulbs, Tubers, and Rhizomes Packaging
- These are usually dried and cured before packaging.
- Packed in ventilated boxes or bags with moisture-retaining material to prevent desiccation.
- Handle carefully to avoid bruising.
- Example: Gladiolus bulbs, ginger rhizomes.
Packaging Materials Used
- Gunny bags, Hessian cloth: For moisture retention and cushioning.
- Sphagnum moss or sawdust: To wrap roots and retain moisture.
- Plastic sheets or polyethylene bags: To reduce moisture loss but must allow air circulation.
- Cardboard boxes: For grouping small plants or seedlings.
- Wooden crates: For heavy or large plants to protect from mechanical injury.
- Twine or plastic tape: To secure the package firmly.
Transportation of Nursery Material
Transporting nursery material requires care to avoid mechanical injury, dehydration, and temperature stress. Proper transportation ensures high survival rates and healthy establishment at the planting site.
Important Factors in Transportation
- Timing
- Transport during early morning or late evening to avoid heat stress.
- Avoid transporting during extreme weather (hot midday or heavy rain).
- Handling
- Handle plants gently to avoid breaking stems, crushing leaves, or damaging roots.
- Avoid dropping or piling plants too high.
- Use proper loading techniques to distribute weight evenly and avoid crushing.
- Vehicle Type
- Open trucks or trailers are commonly used but should be covered with tarpaulins to protect from sun and wind.
- Enclosed vehicles may be used for delicate plants or long-distance transport.
- Vehicles should be clean and free from pests or diseases.
- Moisture Maintenance
- Keep root balls or roots moist during transit.
- Mist or water the plants before loading.
- Use wet packing materials to maintain humidity.
- For long journeys, provide ventilation to avoid overheating.
- Arrangement
- Place plants upright and securely in vehicles.
- Use partitions, crates, or nets to avoid shifting during transit.
- Group similar plants together for easier unloading.
Transportation Methods
- Road Transport: Most common in India; enables door-to-door delivery.
- Rail Transport: Suitable for long-distance bulk shipments; requires proper packaging to avoid damage.
- Air Transport: For high-value or urgent nursery material; packaging must meet airline regulations.
- Water Transport: Rarely used but applicable for island or coastal nurseries.
Significance of Proper Packaging and Transportation
- Ensures plant survival by minimizing injury and stress.
- Maintains plant quality for better growth after transplantation.
- Prevents spread of pests and diseases by using clean materials.
- Reduces economic loss due to damaged plants.
- Facilitates marketability and customer satisfaction.
Summary
| Aspect | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Packaging Methods | Bare-root, root ball, polybag/container, bulbs/tubers |
| Packaging Materials | Gunny bags, moss, plastic sheets, cardboard boxes |
| Transportation Timing | Early morning or late evening |
| Handling Care | Gentle handling, avoid crushing, secure placement |
| Vehicle Protection | Use tarpaulins or enclosed vehicles |
| Moisture Maintenance | Keep roots moist, use wet packing materials |
| Transportation Modes | Road (most common), rail, air (for urgent/high-value) |
Conclusion
Proper packaging and transportation of nursery material are vital steps to ensure healthy, vigorous plants reach their destination ready for planting. Following best practices in packaging and transportation reduces plant stress, prevents damage, and supports successful horticultural production and landscaping.