Abstract:
This study attempts to identify factors that contribute to standards of tea nursery
plants produced by the commercial nurseries in the Kegalle and Kaluthara districts
and to ascertain the effective monitoring mechanism to ensure the standard of
vegetetively propagated (VP) tea plants. Randomly selected 60 registered and 34
unregistered nursery owners in the above districts were surveyed using
questionnaire and nursery observations. Regional extension staffs attached to the
Tea Small Holding Development Authority (TSHDA) in Kegalle and Kalutara,
were also interviewed and collected their views and ideas for the development of
effective mechanism for monitoring.
The survey reveals that the registered nursery owners have a sound social
background and knowledge about standard of nursery practices and also majority of
them practice the recommended nursery techniques. However, the unregistered
nursery owners have traditional knowledge and are unaware or give a least priority
to maintain nursery standards. They produce low quality plants at low cost which
could also make an impact on overall'standards and quality of the nursery plants of
both unregistered and registered nurseries. The success rate of nursery plant is
positively influenced by socio economic characteristic of the nursery owner such as
experience and knowledge on nursery management (p < 0.05) and height of nursery
bag (more than 5") (p < 0.001). Drainage arrangement of the nursery bags, use of
paddy husk as a soil substitute are positively related to the growth of nursery plant
(p < 0.05). There is a positive relationship between growth parameters (Dry weight
of plant) and soil type (clay loam) (p < 0.05). There is an urgent requirement to
improve a sound monitoring mechanism with strong legal provisions for regulations
of standards of nursery plants.
