The current status and future prospects for the production of ornamental planting materials in forestry nurseries in Ukraine

Abstract

The reduced demand for seedlings has created the conditions for the introduction of new profitable production areas, such as the cultivation of ornamental seedlings of woody plants. Therefore, there is a need to explore new ways to increase the profitability of growing ornamental plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate and estimate the capacity and condition of the forestry industry’s planting base, identify its main problems, available reserves, and outline the main ways to improve its efficiency under self-financing conditions. The methodological framework was based on general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, and generalisation, which allowed for the investigation of the reporting materials of forestry enterprises and statistical data of the State Agency of Forest Resources.The study characterised the state of seedling production of forestry enterprises and trends in the dynamics of its production capacities during the period of the State Target Programme “Forests of Ukraine” for 2010-2015 (the last 4 years of 2012-2015) and after its completion (2016-2019). The study indicated the favourable conditions and expediency of increasing the production of ornamental planting material. The prospects for the wider introduction of the production of ornamental planting material in forestry nurseries were identified. The ways of modernisation of ornamental seedling production of forestry enterprises and increase of its profitability were proposed and substantiated. It was emphasised that the increase in the production of ornamental planting material in nurseries and the implementation of the recommended measures will not only increase the flow of extra-budgetary funds, but will also contribute to the modernisation of the process of growing forest seedlings, including those with a closed root system, as well as improve their quality. The results obtained will help accelerate a scientifically sound solution of problems related to modernisation and efficiency in the production of ornamental planting materials in nurseries. This, in turn, will help attract additional financial resources for forestry enterprises