Care of Young Plants of Apple Ber Before Plantation

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Why do we need to take care of young Apple Ber plants before plantation?

• Generally, a Grower sources plants from local or outstation nurseries in various weather conditions. It may get transported through different methods and routes with multiple handling. Due to this (logistics method of not-so-pleasant and jerks during transit), plants are exposed to shock / stress.

To overcome this undue stress and shocks of transportation, proper care is required to bring plants back to normal condition. It is recommended that post recovery, plantation can be done on the field.

• On their journey from VNR Nursery to Grower’s field, plants get stressed up due     to fluctuating temperature, lack of irrigation/moisture and physical stress such as shaking, slapping, ripping, or squeezing.
• These stresses upset the balance between photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration. Plant cells and their contents break down and cease to function normally (roots are generally more sensitive to stress than shoots).
• During photosynthesis, young Apple Ber plants use light, water, nutrients, carbon dioxide to produce and store carbohydrates. During respiration, plants consume these carbohydrates and oxygen to grow and maintain them.
• Plants also lose water from their leaves, stems and root media. Plants then divert their efforts from growth to survival. (from growing new cells to repairing damaged cells) Repairing damaged cells requires energy which comes from a limited reserve of carbohydrates stored in the roots and stems.
• Planting stressed plants can lead to mortality. 

Recommendation–

Rest period before plantation

2 days for every 1 day of transportation.

Example –

Transportation time – from nursery to grower’s field  = 2 days.

Recommended rest for plants before plantation = 2 x 2 = 4 days.

How to handle Apple Ber plants before Plantation?

Preparation before Unloading the Plants –

• Identify an open, dry and garbage/clutter free area in the farm.
• Create a raised platform/floor with an approximate height of 4 to 6 inches from the ground/ on a tilted/slope surface to protect plants from surface heat and water logging.
• Cover raised platform/floor with black polythene sheet to avoid penetration of roots in soil and germination of weeds in plants area.
• If the plants need to be stored in summer months (April – June), then it requires a partially shaded area with proper irrigation facility.
• The height of shade used should be 9 – 10 feet to ensure proper aeration and convenience to provide service to the plants.

Unloading of Plants

• Plants should be unloaded carefully, crates / baskets can be used for the purpose.
• Keep the plants initially under shade, irrigate them sufficiently.
• Follow the images for the purpose –

Holding of plants –

The safest way to carry or hold the plant is always from its bottom portion i.e. poly bag. Never hold or carry the plant from its stem as it may damage or break the graft/bud union.

How to keep and service Apple Ber plants during storage?

Apple Ber plants are to be stored as shown in the image.

• Keep a distance/gap of 3 feet as service area in between two rows.
• Length of a row may vary as per plant population & availability of space.

(8-10 plants in a row).

Keeping and servicing of plants before plantations on black polythene sheet.

Importance of row wise storage of Plants

Apple Ber plants are stored in a row to ensure:

1. Every plant can be easily accessed for irrigation, weeding and removal of sprouts.
2. Row wise distribution with walking aisle will help to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the vicinity of plants.

How to keep Apple Ber plants healthy during storage period –

S. No.	PRACTICES
1.	Irrigation – Regular / when needed
2.	Spray of fungicide & insecticide – If needed
3.	Removal of sprouts, flowers, fruits & weeds – Regular/when needed

Check Point :

Randomly check/audit the poly bags by press and feel technique to feel the adequate moisture in the root zone. Hard pan of top soil in the poly bags does not allow water to seep inside the poly bag resulting in wilting / drying of plants, due to low moisture in the root zone.

Spray – 

Plants need to spray after delivery as per following –   Fungicide – Copper Oxychloride (COC) @ 2gm/liter   Insecticides – Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @0.5 ml/litre (when required).

Check Point:

Carry out periodical inspection of plants to check if there is any infestation of pests and disease.

Precaution:Keep a gap of 15 days between 2 successive sprays

1. Removal of rootstock growth

Vegetative growth coming below graft union needs regular removal.