- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - -

(CLF6000) Advanced Core Cluster: ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE

 (CLF6300) Unit Title: DISEASES AND PESTS OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

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 (CLF6305) Topic:  NURSERY SANITATION     Time              Year(s) 
                                             1-2 hours          3 / 4 
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         Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student
                            will be able to:

         Learning Outcome #:

           (E-11) - To describe the importance of nursery sanitation in a 
                     disease prevention program.
 
         Special Materials and Equipment: 
                     
         References: Baker, Kenneth F. (Ed.). (1957). THE UC SYSTEM FOR 
                       PRODUCING HEALTHY CONTAINER-GROWN PLANTS.
                       University of California, Division of Agricultural
                       Sciences, Agricultural Experiment Station--Extension
                       Service, Manual 23. (out-of-print)
                     Hartmann, Hudson T., & Kester, Dale E. (1983). PLANT 
                       PROPAGATION: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES (4th ed.). 
                       Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
 
         Evaluation:Test, quiz, handout or observation

TOPIC PRESENTATION: NURSERY SANITATION

A. Sanitation and disease prevention are very important in the nursery.

   1. Reasons for a disease prevention program are:

       a. keep plants alive

       b. keep healthy plant stock

       c. reduce the loss of money from lost plant crops

       d. stop disease from spreading to other plant material

   2. Plant diseases are spread by the following methods:

       a. Diseased plant stock is propagated.

       b. Plants are placed on contaminated ground, benches, etc.

       c. Plants are grown in contaminated pots or flats.

       d. Tools or equipment that are carrying diseases are used.

       e. Soil that contains a pathogen is used.

       f. Insects or weeds are not under control; these will act as hosts
           for diseases.

       g. Improper watering 

           1) Splashing of water and soil from one contaminated plant to
              other noncontaminated plants.

           2) Leaving contaminated hose nozzles on the ground or floor 

   3. There are several different steps and methods to prevent diseases.

       a. The first thing is to take proper steps to prevent diseases from 
           starting.

       b. Keeping your nursery facilities as clean as posssible is the
           best starting point. Sweep all floors, pick up all trash,
           remove any dead plant material, return items to their proper
           place, etc.

       c. Eliminating pathogens from the soil is one possiblility.

           1) Heat soil to 180 degrees F. for 30 minutes to kill 
               pathogens.

           2) Oven sterilize the soil at 120-130 degrees F. for 30-45 min.

           3) Chemically fumigate using methyl bromide (NOT recomended for
               schools).

           4) Chemically fumigate using Vapam.

       d. Clean all tools, used pots, and equipment with a 10% mixture of
           chlorine bleach and water. This can also be use to clean floors 
           and benches. 

       e. Areas of diseases can be controlled by applying a chemical
           fungicide as a soil drench.


         __________________________________________________________
         ACTIVITY: 
 
         1.  Using the supplemental handout (on the next page),
              have students inspect the local facilities for any 
              possible disease prevention methods that can be done.

         __________________________________________________________
                   A CHECKLIST FOR NURSERY SANITATION


Check here                 SOIL AND CONTAINERS

__________      All soil treated with steam or chemical.

__________      Soil storage areas treated with a disinfectant before
                dumping or mixing treated soil on them.

__________      Potting benches treated with disinfectant.

__________      Containers treated before use.

__________      Tools treated with a disinfectant before use in treated
                soil.

__________      Benches steamed or treated after each crop is removed.

                                  PLANTS

__________      Stock plants segregated and isolated from production areas
                and operations.

__________      Cuttings taken only from pathogen-free stock plants.

__________      Top cuttings used, never taken at or near the soil level.

__________      Cuttings broken off or knives frequently treated with a
                disinfectant.

__________      Propagating material placed on clean surfaces and protected
                from contamination before planting.

                             SANITARY PRACTICES

__________      Treated plants, containers, and soil kept apart from
                untreated plants and materials.

__________      New planting material kept identified and isolated until
                known to be pathogen-free.

__________      Material suspected of contamination immediately removed or
                destroyed, and surface areas treated with a disinfectant.

__________      Unnecessary handling of treated soil strictly avoided.

__________      Splashing of water avoided.

__________      Hose nozzles kept off the floor.

__________      Hands washed before handling clean materials.


1/7/91 MT/clh

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