Introduction

Nurseries are the foundation of successful crop production, especially in protected horticulture systems such as greenhouses, shade nets, and polyhouses. Raising healthy, uniform, and disease-free seedlings in scientifically prepared nursery media ensures better crop establishment, high productivity, and quality produce. The choice of nursery medium, preparation methods, and care during the seedling phase are critical because seedlings are more vulnerable to environmental stress, pests, and diseases.

Characteristics of an Ideal Nursery Medium

• An ideal medium should provide a balanced environment for seed germination and early growth. Important properties include:
• Good water holding capacity – to maintain moisture around seeds and roots.
• High porosity and aeration – to facilitate proper root respiration.
• Light weight – for easy handling and transportation.
• Pathogen- and weed-free – to avoid seedling mortality.
• Optimal pH – generally between 5.5 to 6.8 for most horticultural crops.
• Nutrient availability – should contain or allow supplementation of essential macro- and micro-nutrients.
• Consistency and uniform texture – to allow even germination and root growth.