Soil is the foundation for seedling production, providing essential water and nutrients. Soil fertility is a key factor in maintaining the long-term effectiveness of nurseries. Over time, as nursery operations continue, soil fertility often declines. In recent years, due to economic difficulties in state-owned nurseries, short-sighted practices by individuals, and lack of scientific guidance, soil fertility has continued to drop, leading to significant issues in seedling quality and yield. Based on years of experience in nursery production and soil management, we have developed several effective measures to maintain and improve soil fertility.
1. **Rational Cultivation**
Tillage plays a crucial role in nursery management. Proper cultivation improves soil structure, enhances aeration, and supports root growth and nutrient uptake. It also helps regulate soil temperature, reduce day-night fluctuations, and stimulate microbial activity, which accelerates organic matter decomposition. Good tillage can enhance soil porosity, water retention, and drainage, while also helping control weeds and pests.
Site preparation should be done in autumn or immediately after planting seedlings. If spring preparation is necessary, it should be carried out when the soil has thawed to a certain depth. The ideal depth is about 20 cm. Soil moisture is critical—when it’s around 50–60% of field capacity, the soil is easiest to work with. If the soil is too dry or hard, watering may be needed before tilling. After plowing, the soil must be thoroughly broken up to avoid large clods. Weeds and stones should be removed to ensure optimal conditions for seedlings.
Cultivation timing is equally important. When soil moisture is too high, it can damage soil structure and reduce porosity and aeration, which harms seedling growth. The best time is when moisture is below 70% of field capacity. For heavy loam, this is under 37%; for light loam, under 30%; and for sandy loam, under 22%. If the soil is too wet, cultivation should be avoided.
2. **Crop Rotation and Fallowing**
Fallowing is an effective way to restore soil fertility. After several years of cultivation, soil nutrients are depleted. Leaving land fallow allows natural recovery. During this time, weeds can be turned into green manure, enriching the soil. However, timing is important—too early, and weeds will regrow; too late, and weed seeds will mature, causing future problems.
Rotation involves alternating crops or seedlings. Legumes like soybeans and mung beans are commonly used. After harvest, these crops can be mixed into the soil as organic fertilizer. Seedlings can also be alternated between coniferous and broad-leaved species, or deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants, to prevent nutrient depletion and promote balanced growth.
3. **Organic Fertilization**
Applying organic fertilizers is one of the most effective ways to maintain and enhance soil health. Organic matter improves soil structure, regulates water and nutrient availability, and boosts microbial activity. It also helps increase soil temperature and create favorable conditions for plant growth.
Organic fertilizers can be applied as base fertilizers, top dressings, or green manure. Base fertilizers such as compost, manure, and peat should be well-decomposed and evenly spread before site preparation. The recommended rate is generally 66.6 to 133.3 kg per hectare.
Top dressing typically uses composted manure or animal waste. It should be applied in small amounts, either in strips or around the roots, and followed by watering. For larger seedlings, trenching or hole digging is effective.
Green manure involves planting legumes like alfalfa or clover during fallow periods. These plants are turned into the soil when they’re still fresh and before seed formation, enriching the soil naturally. This method not only restores fertility but also improves soil texture and long-term productivity.
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