The studies on standardization of nursery techniques, viz., pot mixture, growing conditions, container size and age of transplanting, for primary and secondary nursery in Petunia cv. mix revealed that pot mixture with leaf mold either alone or in combination with soil and sand (2:1:2) enhanced the germination of seeds to 98% at primary nursery, and for raising this nursery, polyhouse condition was found to be better than ambient condition. The age of seedling for transplanting from primary to secondary nursery was found to be 16-19 days, which enhanced the emergence and survival percentage. The studies on standardization of container size for secondary nursery revealed that pluck trays with larger size container (8.5 cm diameter) were highly suitable for production of elite seedling. The studies conducted to fix the age of seedling for transplanting from secondary nursery to main field highlighted that 24-27 day-old seedlings at secondary nursery could be well transplanted to main field with 95% establishment.

Nursery is the bypass of seed to main field as seedling in most of the small-seeded agricultural and horticultural crops where direct sowing is not feasible, as it results in growth of more number of seedlings per unit area which slants down the growth of individual seedling. The Petunia seeds are very tiny (100 seed weight-8.4 mg), lesser than the size of tobacco seed, which require nursery compulsorily for better establishment. Two different nurseries are being recommended before the main field transplanting.

The primary nursery is recommended for emergence, while the secondary nursery for the establishment of individual seedlings. Whatever be the type of nursery, either raised bed, polypot or pluck trays, the composition of pot mixture is important. Literature revealed that soil and sand are the main components of nursery for emergence and establishment. To enrich the nutrient status, these basic pot mixture components of different media, viz., leaf mold, farmyard manure, compost, oil cakes, peat moss, coir pith, sphagnum moss, vermiculite, are being recommended for various crops by researchers (Sharma, 1999) for better growth of seeds into seedling. Whatever be the pot mixture media selected, the basic quality of the media is stressed to be porous, drains well, warms readily in the sun, allows easy penetration, easily removable for reporting and should contain lower level of nitrogen and balanced levels of other nutrients (Richards et al. , 1964). In addition to the pot mixture, in containerized nursery, the size of container and the days required for proper development of seedling for further transplanting are the important factors valued in nursery management. Petunia is one of the best ornamentals for single bedding and is considered as one of the most valuable bedding ornamental flowers, as it has a long flowering season under favorable conditions. Petunias are also good for borders, mass planting, edgings, rock garden, window boxes, hanging basket and pots. They are also good for vase decoration as cut flowers, and when grown in mass under the shrubs they display a striking effect. Hence studies were made with Petunia to standardize different nursery requirements, viz., the composition of pot mixture, growing conditions, container size and transplanting age from primary to secondary nursery and from secondary nursery to the main field.

Life Sciences Journal, Milk Production Systems in Bure District, Amhara National Regional State, Milk Development, Marketing Systems, Agricultural Products, Feeding Systems, Calf Rearing, Milk Feeding, Bucket Feeding, Partial Suckling, Dietary Treatments, Veterinary Services.