What is horticulture?

• Horticulture
Latin words hortus-garden, and cultura-
cultivation

• Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858-1954), Thomas Andrew Knight

(1759-1838) and John Lindley (1799-1865) (Janick 2002)

Horticulture
-Growing of fruits, flowers and vegetables, and of plants
for ornament and fancy (Ohio State University)
• Janick (1972): it is the branch of agriculture
concerned with intensively cultured plants
directly used by man for food, for medicinal
purposes, or for esthetic gratification.
• Louisiana State University (2011), horticulture
is the science and art involved in the
cultivation, propagation, processing and
marketing of fruits & nuts, vegetables,
ornamental plants, flowers and turf.
• It is unique among plant sciences because it
not only involves science and technology, but it
also incorporates art and principles of design.
• University of Minnesota (2011), horticulture
is the science and art of plant production for
both beauty and utility.
• Rather than staple crops, horticulture focuses
on value-added, luxury crops.
• Horticulture
– is a branch of plant agriculture and is both a
science and an art. As an art, it incorporates the
principles of design (as in landscaping).
– deals with intensively cultured and high-value
crops.
– Horticultural crops include the vegetables, fruits,
and nuts which are directly used by man for food,
the flowers and other ornamental plants for
aesthetic uses or visual enjoyment, and those used
for medicinal purposes.
 Sections of horticulture
Broadly three categories:-

a. Pomology
b. Olericulture
c. Floriculture
 Pomology
Pomology- (pome- fruits and logy-science)

It is a branch of horticulture which deals with fruit

crop production and is divided into three classes:-

1. Practical pomology (fruit production)

2. Commercial pomology (marketing and disposing of
fruits)
3. Systematic pomology (plant characters and their
habitat in growth)
 Olericulture
Production of vegetables including storage,
processing, and marketing.

Vegetable crops are grown for their succulent and

edible parts such as the roots, stems, leaves, young
tops, flowers, fruits, or seeds for use in culinary
preparations either fresh or preserved in the fresh
state.
 Difference between fruits and vegetables
Fruits Vegetables
Fruit plants are perennial in nature Most of the vegetables are annuals
Fruit plant are sexually and asexually Majority of them are sexually propagated
propagated
Fruit plants require special practices like Cultivation of vegetable is seasonal and
training and pruning . special techniques like pruning and
training are generally not required
Fruit plants are generally woody in nature Vegetable plants are generally non-woody

Only fruit (ovary) is edible but sometimes All parts of the plant are edible
false fruit also edible (eg. Fleshy thalamus
of apple)
Mostly consumed raw after ripening Generally consumed after cooking
 Floriculture
The cultivation and management of cut
flowers, flowering plants, and foliage plants
(Louisiana State University 2011) including
their use in ornamental construct such as
flower arrangement (ISHS 2011). A term that
is used interchangeably with floriculture
is ornamental horticulture.
 Allied horticultural sectors
• Plant Propagation / Nursery Crop Culture - the propagation and
production of seedlings, young trees, shrubs and vines, as well as
ground covers, turf, ornamental plants and other crops in
nurseries for landscaping, interior plantscaping, or outplanting.

• Landscape horticulture - the branch of horticulture which

includes the design, construction and care of landscapes taking
into consideration proper choice of plants and aesthetic effects
for homes, businesses and public places.

• Seed industry- Newly developed plant cultivars are multiplied,

processed and packed for sale.
 Allied branches of horticulture
• Plantation crops : cultivation of coconut, arecanut,
rubber, coffee, tea, etc.
• Spices crops : cultivation of cardamom, pepper,
nutmeg etc.
• Medicinal and aromatic crops: cultivation of medicinal
and aromatic crops.
• Post harvest technology: deals with post harvest
handling, grading, packaging, storage processing,
value addition, marketing etc, of horticulture crops.
• Plant propagation : deals with propagation of plants.
 ISHS
The International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS 2011) and Janick (1972; 2002) provide the
following descriptors of horticulture:

1. Horticulture differs from agronomy in many ways but some crops can be classified as both
horticultural and agronomic depending on use (e.g. sweet corn is horticultural, grain or forage corn
is agronomic). In the tropics, however, the distinction between horticulture and agronomy is not
clear.
2. Horticulture is intensive. It deals with high-value crops which are intensively cultivated with high
infusion of capital in terms of production inputs, labor and technology per land area.

3. Protected cultivation, as in glasshouses and plastic tunnels, and irrigation are common.

4. The following terms are used to refer to production units for horticultural crops: gardens, orchards,
groves, vineyards, greenhouses, nurseries, and sometimes plantations.

5. Horticulture supports environmental enhancement through a special branch of horticulture called

environmental or urban horticulture which includes home gardening, landscaping, arboriculture
(growing of trees), and interior decorating with the use of plants. These activities have been applied
in horticultural therapy in which horticultural plants are used as therapeutic tools.
 Importance and scope
Economic Importance
India is among the leading horticulture
producer in the world and it leads the world in
the production of mango, banana, sapota and
acid lime besides recording highest
productivity in grape.
The leading fruit growing states are
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
• During 2013-14, the production of horticultural crops
was about 283.5 million tonnes from an area of 24.2
million hectares (ha).
•
• The production of vegetables has increased from
58,532 thousand tonnes to 168,300 thousand tonnes
since 1991-92 to 2014-15.

• In HP, total area under fruit production is 2,24,352 ha

with annual production of 7,51,938 MT (2014)
• Gross value of the Fruit Produce (Rs.) : 3582.91 Crore
• Per capita Income from Fruit Produce (Rs.) : 5225
• Employment Generation in the Fruit Production activities : 900 Lakh
• Presently, the horticulture sector contributes around 31 % of the
GDP and 38% of the total exports of agricultural commodities from
around 14% of area.
• India is the 2nd largest producer in the world, with 81.28 million
tones of fruits occupying an area of 6.98 million hectare
• Himachal is predominately horticultural state which is bestowed with
unique potentialities of growing temperate and sub-tropical fruits.
• Economy of the farmers depends upon cultivation of fruits and
vegetables.
 VEGETABLE CROPS

During 2013-14, the area under vegetables is

estimated at 9.4 million ha with a production
of 162.9 million tonnes in India
Leading vegetable produces:-
West Bengal (23,045 thousand tonnes)
Uttar Pradesh (18,545 thousand tonnes)
 PLANTATION CROPS

• The major plantation crops include coconut,

arecanut, oil palm, cashew, tea coffee, rubber
cocoa, betel vine, vanilla etc.

• The leading states are Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil

Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa,
Assam etc.
 SPICES

• They constitute an important group of horticulture crops

and are defined as vegetable products or mixture thereof,

• Free from extraneous matter used for flavouring,

seasoning and imparting aroma in foods.
• India is known as home of spices producing a wide variety
of spices like black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric,
chilli, Coriander etc.
• Major spice producing states are Kerala, Andhra Pradesh,
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa, Tamil
Nadu etc.
 MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
• India has diverse collection of medicinal and aromatic
plants species distributed throughout the country.
• It has more than 9,500 species with medicinal
properties.
• Demand for these crops is increasing progressively in
both domestic and export markets.
• Important medicinal plants are Tulsi, isabgol, Senna,
Opium poppy, Periwinkle, Coleus, Ashwagandha, etc.
and aromatic plants are Japanese mint, Lemon grass,
Citronella etc
Value of Output of Horticultural Crops (at constant prices) (Rs in '00 Crores)

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Agricultural Crops 5250 5241 5761 6094 6091

Total Fruits and Vegetables 1288.62 1286.18 1292.02 1558.18 1639.43

Total Condiments & Spices 155 170 185 224 202
Total Floriculture 70 75 80 118 106
Plantation Crops
Coconut 76 82 88 94 94
Cashew Nut 17 20 14 20 27
Cocoa 0.2 0.19 0.2 0.3 0.2
Areca Nut 28.5 29.07 37.6 30.4 26.2
Total 1635 1662 1697 2045 2095

Source: State-wise estimates of output from Agriculture & Allied Activities, 2013, CSO, MOSPI.
 Employment
Job avenues for horticulturists are:
• Green house manager
• Nursery manager
• Fruit grower
• Sale and marketing executives
• Vegetable grower
• Landscape designer
• Floriculturist
• Garden designer
• Landscaper
• Extension officer
• Teacher
• Researcher
 Industries
• With the support of horticulture, many agro based industries can
spring up in villages itself. It is an acceptable fact that horticulture
can come in a big way to solve the problem of unemployment.
• Source of other industries e.g. rubber, oil, gum, dyes, chemicals
etc. raw material for fruit and vegetable processing plants, hence
becomes a solution to reduce unemployment.

• Employment is also generated in doing field operations like fruit

picking / harvesting, grading, packing, selling etc. In cereals labor
engagement is of 143 days and in fruits it is of 850 days (in
intensively grown fruits like grapes, banana and pineapple it is
1000 to 2500 man-days).
 Human diet

• In countries like Italy, France and USA, the

consumption of fruit is 308, 232 and 223 g /
day respectively.
• Deficiency of any minerals and nutrients is
depicted by the human body by giving typical
symptoms.
 Vitamins
• Vitamins
– These are the important constituents of fruits and vegetables and are indispensable
part of human diet.
– Although required in very minute quantities, they are absolutely essential for the
maintenance of health.
– The deficiency of any vitamin from the diet for considerable period may lead to
diseased state or disorder conditions.
– Fruits and vegetables supply several vitamins.
• Vitamin-A
– It is essential for normal growth, reproduction and maintenance of health and
vigour.
– It affords protection against cold and influenza and prevents night blindness.
– Its deficiency results in – cessation of growth in young children, night blindness,
drying up of tear glands in the eyes, eruption of skin (Rashes on the skin) and
brittleness of the teeth
– Sources: Mango, Papaya, Dates, Jackfruit, Walnut etc.
 Vitamins
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
– Tones the nervous system and helps in proper functioning of the
digestive tract.
– Its deficiency in human diet results in ― – Beri-beri, paralysis, loss of
sensitivity of skin, enlargement of heart, loss of appetite ,loss of
weight and fall in body temperature.
– Sources: Orange, pineapple, jack fruit, cashew nut, walnut, dry
apricot, almond, banana etc,.
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):
– Required for body growth and health of the skin.
– Its deficiency causes – sore throat, anorexia cataract, and loss of
appetite and body weight and also development of swollen nose.
– Sources: Bael, papaya, litchi, banana, apricot, pomegranate, pear etc.
 Vitamins
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxin)

– Its deficiency causes – dermatitis, anemia, ulceration in oral

cavity etc.
– Rich fruits are chestnut, walnut, almond, apricot, apple, plum
etc.
• Vitamin -C (Ascorbic Acid):
– This vitamin promotes general health and healthy gums,
– Prevents scurvy disease which is characterized by pain in the
joints and swelling of limbs (rheumatism), bleeding of gums,
tooth decay and keeps the blood vessels in good condition.
– Sources: Amla, guava, ber, citrus, strawberry, pineapple etc.
 Vitamins
• Vitamin K
– Nuts
– synthesis of procoagulant factors, osteoporosis
• Vitamin E (tocopherols)
Source : Almonds, cashew nuts, filberts,
macadamias, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts
– heart-disease, LDL oxidation, immune-system,
diabetes, cancer
 Minerals and fiber
• Fiber most fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, cooked
dry beans and peas

– dark-green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, mustard

greens, butterhead lettuce, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and
okra), legumes (cooked dry beans, lentils, chickpeas and
green peas),
– birth defects

– Folate (folicin or folic acid)

– cancer heart disease, nervous system
 Minerals
• Calcium
– Tamarind (0.74%),
– Bael (0.09%)
– wood apple (0.03%),
– litchi, Karonda and Walnut etc.
– Papaya, raisins, orange, almonds
– osteoporosis, muscular/ skeletal, teeth, blood pressure
• Magnesium
– Banana, nuts, cashews osteoporosis,
– nervous system, teeth, immune system
• Potassium
– Dried fruits (such as apricots and prunes)
– hypertension (blood pressure) stroke arteriosclerosis
 Minerals
• Phosphorus is essential for cell multiplication of bones and
soft tissues. It provides energy in the form of ATP to the
body.
– Fruits like wood apple, raspberry, black currant, dried apricot,
lasora, pomegranate, raisin etc. are rich source of P.
• Iron act as oxygen carrier in the body and is essential for
the development of blood and body cells.
– Karonda, datepalm, walnut, green mango, custard apple, jamun
etc. are rich source of iron.
– Besides, these minerals, cobalt, copper, iodine, manganese and
zinc are required in traces for human body. These are found in
varying concentration in different fruits.
Protein, fat, Organic acid, enzymes and CHO

• Protein
– Most of the people living in underdeveloped countries like
India suffer from acute deficiency of proteins. The average
daily protein requirement of an adult ranges from 60-70 g.
unlike most of the commercial fruits some underutilized
fruits like Jawa almond, American chestnut, wild walnut,
Pistachio nut, Coconut etc. are rich source of protein.

• Fat
– Walnut (64.50%), almond (58.90%), cashew nut (46.90%),
avocado (22.80%).
• Organic acid
For proper digestion of food, organic acids play very important role.
The most common acids in fruits are either citric or malic acid, tartaric acid.
The rich source of these acids are tropical and temperate wild and
underutilized fruits.

• Enzymes
– Fruits are also good source of enzymes, which are helpful in metabolic
activities leading to proper digestion of food. The fruits like jamun, fig,
pomegranate, papaya etc. are best examples.

• Carbohydrate
– Raisin, apricot, date (pind), karonda, banana, bael, custard apple and
jamun etc.
 Export of fruits and fruit products

• Apple Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia

• Banana Nepal, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain
• Grapes Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, U.A.E, Kuwait, Oman,
European countries Guava and Litchi Netherlands, Russia, Saudi
Arabia, U.A.E, Lebanon, Yemen, Canada
• Mango–dried slices U.K, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Canada
• Mango – puree and paste Saudi Arabia, Russia, Netherlands , and
Nigeria
• Mango –juice U.K, Russia, Yemen, Ethiopia, U.S.A, U.A.E
• Mango –slices in brine U.K, U.S.A, Iraq, and Russia
• Mango –squash U.S.A and Canada
• Pineapple Nepal, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Kuwait and European countries
• During 2015-16, India exported fruits and vegetables
worth Rs. 8,391.41 crores which comprised of fruits
worth Rs. 3,524.50 crores and vegetables worth Rs.
4,866.91 crores.

• Mangoes, Walnuts, Grapes, Bananas, Pomegranates

account for larger portion of fruits exported from the
country while Onions, Okra, Bitter Gourd, Green Chilles,
Mushrooms and Potatoes contribute largely to the
vegetable export basket.
LIMITATION / PROBLEMS OF FRUIT PRODUCTION

1. High initial investment

2. Non-availability of quality planting material
3. Long juvenile period
4. Perishable nature
5. Lack of processing unit
6. Lack of proper storage and transportation facilities
7. Faulty marketing system
8. Low purchasing power