Nursery Management Questions and Answers

Answer: D

Vermiculite is a hydrated magnesium-aluminium-iron silicate, a mineral that expands on heating and is used as a light, water-holding growing medium.

Coco-coir is coconut fibre and peat is partly decayed plant matter, both organic. Perlite is a volcanic glass, a silicate of aluminium and not a magnesium-iron one.

Vermiculite is made by heating a mica-like mineral, which makes it expand into light flakes that hold water and nutrients. It is used for seed germination and in soilless mixes.

Answer: B

The pH of sphagnum moss is about 3.5 to 4.0, which is acidic. This is why it is used in media for plants that need acidic conditions, such as orchids and blueberries.

2.0-2.5 is too acidic, and 5.0-7.0 are not the pH of sphagnum.

Sphagnum moss is acidic and holds many times its own weight of water. It is used in potting mixes and in packing for orchids and for air layering.

Answer: C

The key gives the fibre block as the container that is not suitable for good root penetration, since the compressed fibre material is dense and roots grow into it with difficulty. I could not confirm this from a source.

Strip peat pots, soil bands and single peat pots allow roots to pass through.

Containers for seedlings must let the roots out into the soil after transplanting. The fibre block is a firm block that restricts root penetration, according to the key.

Answer: C

Pricking, or pricking out, is the transfer of young seedlings from one bed to another bed or tray, to give them more space.

Hardening is gradual exposure to outdoor conditions, bricking and wintering are not terms for this transfer.

Pricking out gives the seedlings room to grow, and the seedlings are held by their leaves and not the stem, which is easily crushed. It is done when the seedlings have two true leaves.