Horticulture is derived from the latin words 'Hortus' (Gardens) and 'Cultura' (Cultivation).
* Horticulture may be defined as the crop science which deals with the production, utilisation and improvement of fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, spices and plantation crops including medicinal and aromatic plants.
* Horticulture crops generally require intensive cultivation.
* Horticulture products are highly perishable.
* Horticulture crops are the rich source of vitamins and minerals.
* Cultural operations such as propagation, training, pruning, harvesting and marketing are skilled operations and are specific to horticulture crops.
Horticulture consists of the following divisions:
a) Pomology : Study of fruit crops.
b) Olericulture: Scientific study of vegetables.
c) Floriculture: Art of growing, selling, designing and arranging flowers and foliage plants.
d) Spices: Those plants, the products of which are made use of as food adjuncts to add aroma and flavour.
e.g.: Pepper, Clove and Cardamom etc.
e) Condiments: To add taste only.
e.g.: Coriander, Cumin.
f) Plantation crops: e.g.: Coconut, Oilpalm, Cashew etc.
Importance of Horticulture:
* Horticulture crops contribute to rational income.
* They generate more employment opportunities.
* Highly remunerative and profitable than cereals.
* Fruits and vegetables are regarded as protective foods since they supply minerals and vitamins.
* Fruits yield more calorific value.
* Many Horticultural products and their by products are the important raw materials for many industries.
Horticultural Zones of India
Basis on the Agro Climatic Conditions, India has been categorised into 7 zones. They are:
1) Temperate Northern Region: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal
- Temperate Fruits, Cool seasons vegetables are grown.
2) North Western Arid Region: Rajasthan, Gujrat, Parts of Punjab and Haryana.
- Ber, Pomegranate, Aonla, Date Palm
3) North Eastern Subtropical Humid Region: All North Eastern states
- Banana, Pineapple, Citrus
4) North Central Subtropical Region: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Parts of Maharashtra.
- Mango, Sapota, Sweet orange, Guava.
5) South Central Tropical Region: Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Parts of Maharashtra.
- Mango, Guava, Turmeric, Sapota, Pineapple.
6) Coastal Tropical Humid Region: The entire region stretching along the Bay of Bengal in the east and Arabian sea in the west.
- Banana, Cashew, Coconut, Mango.
7) Southern Hilly Region: Comprising Western ghat and Eastern ghat.
- Coffee, Tea, Cardamom, Pepper, Oranges.
Classification of Horticultural Crops:
Classification refers to grouping of individuals with similar identities related to genetic make up, evolution or climatic requirements. Fruits, Vegetables and flowers are classified based on different components.
FRUITS CLASSIFICATION:
1. Botanical: According to their Marphological and Cytological similarities and dissimilarities, their place of origin, cross ability, floral biology etc.
Monocotyledons: Arecaceae e.g.: Arecanut, Oil Palm.
Bromeliaceae: e.g.: Pineapple
Musaceae: e.g.: Banana
Dicotyledonous: Anacardiaceae e.g.: Cashew, Mango
Caricaceae: e.g.: Papaya
Moraceae: e.g.: Jack Fruit, Fig
Punicaceae: e.g.: Pomegranate
Rosaceae: e.g.: Apple, Strawberry, Pear, Plum
Sapotaceae: e.g.: Sapota, Star Apple
Vitaceae: e.g.: Grape
2. Ecological: Based on Climatic requirements.
i) Temperate Fruits - Apple, Pear, Peach, Walnut, Strawberry.
ii) Tropical Fruits - Papaya, Coconut, Banana
iii) Sub-Tropical Fruits - Mango, Citrus, Pomegranate
iv) Temperate Fruits in sub-tropical region - Plum, Pear, Almond, Apple.
v) Arid fruits - Ber, Karonda
vi) Semi Arid Fruits - Bael, Fig, Custard Apple, Wood Apple.
3. Stem Morphology: Based on the form of the stem.
i) Highly developed stem - Mango, Walnut, Pear
ii) Moderately developed stem - Apple, Sapota, Guava
iii) Shrubs and small tree - Pomegranate, Fig
iv) Shrubs - Karonda, Line, Lemon
v) Vine - Grape, Passion Fruits
vi) Herbaceous Perennial - Papaya, Pineapple, Banana and Strawberry.
4. Fruit Morphology: Depending on number of ovaries involved in fruit formation.
A. Simple Fruits:
a) Dehiscent - No fruit crop. Only Legunes, Follicle, Capsule and Siliqua.
b) Indehiscent - Cashewnut, Chestnut
c) Schizocarpic - Tamarind
d) Fleshy Fruits - i) Berry, Banana, Papaya, Grape, Guava, Sapota
ii) Drupe - Mango, Coconut, Peach
iii) Pome - Apple, Pear, Loquat
B. Aggregate Fruits:
a) Etaerio of achenes - Strawberry
b) Etaerio of berries - Custard apple
c) Etaerio of drupes - Black Berry
C. Multiple/Composite Fruits:
a) Sorosis - Pineapple, Jack Fruit
b) Syconus - Fig
5. Flowering Habit:
a) Ever flowering - Fig and Papaya
b) Non-seasonal Flowering - Mango and Coconut
c) Gregarious Flowering - Quince
d) Seasonal flowering - Guava, Apple, Litchi etc.
6. Respiration rate:
a) Climacteric fruits - Apple, Mango, Guava, Sapota, Banana, Papaya, Fig etc.
b) Non-Climacteric Fruits - Grape, Citrus, Jamun, Ber, Cashew, Strawberry etc.
7. Photoperiodism:
a) Long day - Apple, Passion Fruit
b) Short day - Strawberry, Pineapple
c) Day Neutral - Papaya, Guava, Banana
8. Shade Tolerance:
a) Highly Tolerant - Carambola b) Moderately Tolerant - Banana
c) Highly Sensitive - Mango, Guava, Citrus, Coconut
9. Drought Tolerance:
a) Highly Tolerant - Ber, Pomegranate, Cashew, Custard Apple.
b) Moderately Tolerant - Mango, Grape, Guava
c) Sensitive - Apple, Banana, Papaya, Sapota
10. Salt Tolerance:
a) High Salt Tolerance - Date Palm, Ber, Guava
b) Medium Salt Tolerance - Pomegranate, Jamun, Fig
c) Highly sensitive - Apple, Pear, Mango, Citrus
11. Edible Parts :
a) Fleshy Thalamus - Apple, Pear
b) Aril - Pomegranate, Litchi c) Fleshy Receptacle - Fig
Important topics to be focused
* Plant growth Regulators
* Pollination: Types, Examples
* Maturity Indices
* Nutritional Values in Vegetables / Fruits
* INM / IPM / IDM / Mulching / Fertigation
* Preservatives for Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers
* Post Harvest Management
* Propagation Methods for Vegetables, Fruits
* Physiological Disorders in different Vegetables, Fruits
* Training, Pruning Mechanisms
* Different classifications
* Varieties / Hybrids released by local universities
* Reaserch centres, NRCs, Directorates, International institutions, Head quarters
