Horticultural activities may be divided into several broad categories based mainly on the kinds of plants involved, which are as follows:

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1 INTRODUCTION TO HORTICULTURE Horticulture is a very important branch of plant science. It accounts for food from three major sources: vegetables, fruits and nuts. Apart from food, it plays a significant role in other aspects of society. It provides employment and also beautifies the environment. Horticulture is presented as an art, science, and business. It deals with knowledge to produce elite cultivars and prescribe the best cultural practices to use for success in their production. Many people who do not care to grow food crops often enjoy growing flowers outdoors or indoors for aesthetic purposes. 1.HORTICULTURE The term horticulture is derived from Latin word 'hortus' means garden and 'cultura' means cultivation, which means garden cultivation. Modern horticulture can be defined as an art and science of growing garden crops such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers, ornamental and medicinal plants. Horticulture is the branch of agriculture which deals with that kind of specially cared plants which is related to food, medicine and aesthetic need of human being (Jules Janick). 2.MAJOR DIVISION OF HORTICULTURE Horticultural activities may be divided into several broad categories based mainly on the kinds of plants involved, which are as follows: 2.1.POMOLOGY The term pomology derived from the words Pome meaning fruit and logy meaning science. The branch of horticulture deals with the production including growing, harvesting, processing and marketing of fruit is called pomology. It is divided into three following classes: PRACTICAL POMOLOGY It is referred to as the actual growing of fruits COMMERCIAL POMOLOGY Primarily it is the marketing and disposition of fruits, including their storage, preparation and market, transportation and outlets etc. Page 1 of 5

2 2.1.3.SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY It is the knowledge of plants as they grow their distinctions and their habitat in growth. 2.2.OLERICULTURE The word olericulture derived from the words oleris meaning vegetable and culture meaning cultivation. The branch of horticulture involved with the science and practice of growing vegetables is called olericulture. 2.3.ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE The branch of horticulture which deals with the science and practice of production of flowering and ornamental herbs, shrubs and trees for their aesthetic value inside and outside our homes. The branch has two distinct subdivisions: FLORICULTURE The science and practice of cultivating, marketing and arranging ornamental and flowering plants is called floriculture ARBORICULTURE The branch of horticulture involved with the science of growing and caring of ornamental trees in urban area is called arboriculture. 2.4.LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE It is the planning and design of indoor and outdoor space for beautification. The professional who design such plans called landscape architect. Landscaping enhance a property and has become an integral part of residential, commercial and public areas. It has two subdivisions: LANDSCAPING Landscaping is the use of ornamental plants outdoors in conjugation with other elements to beautify a given area INTERIOSCAPING The use of ornamental plants indoors environment is called interioscaping. to create pleasing and comfortable Page 2 of 5

3 3.MINOR DIVISION OF HORTICULTURE Horticulture also divided into several minor groups: 3.1.SPICES AND CONDIMENTS The science and practice of production of spices and condiments. 3.2.PLANTATION CROPS Large scale production of certain crops with intensive care which has economic importance. e.g. Rubber, bamboo, betel leaf etc. 3.3.MEDICINAL HORTICULTURE Some plants are used as herbal medicine. e.g. Drum stick, garlic, onion, marigold etc. 4.RELATION OF HORTICULTURE WITH OTHER SCIENCES Horticulture is also related to other plant sciences (Figure a). The relationship between horticulture and other plant sciences is distinguished from others by features such as use and cultural practices. For example, an oak tree has great ornamental value in the landscape, but as a forest tree, oaks are excellent sources of timber for high quality furniture. Similarly, bermuda grass may be cultivated as an agronomic crop for feeding livestock and also makes an excellent turfgrass in the landscape. 5.ROLE OF HORTICULTURE Figure a. Horticulture is interrelated with other disciplines Fruit and vegetable culture provides food and nutrition Flower culture makes emotionally fulfillment Ornamental horticulture creates so sound environmental conditions Landscape architecture impacts the environment aesthetically or functionally Page 3 of 5

4 Food Fruit culture Vegetable culture Horticulture Ornamental horticulture Landscape architecture Environment Figure b. Divisions and role of horticulture 6.BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGRONOMIC AND HORTICULTURAL CROPS AGRONOMIC CROPS Collective care of plants (Expt-tobacco, cotton) Large scale cultivation (Except- minor crops) Maturity and harvesting of entire crop at a time Generally used after processing (e.g. grains) The returns per unit area are lower Early crop lower price HORTICULTURAL CROPS Individual care of plant (Except-amaranth, spinach) Small scale cultivation (Except- orchard) Time to time harvesting due to different time of maturity Generally used in fresh condition (e.g. tomato, carrot etc.) The returns per unit area are generally higher Early crop higher price Page 4 of 5

5 SUGGESTED BOOKS Horticulture: Principles and Practices GEORGE ACQUAAH Jules Janick Horticultural Science Principles of Horticulture Prasad, S. and Kumar, U. Principles of Horticulture Charles Adams, Mike Early, Jane Brook, Katherine Bamford The Fundamentals of Horticulture: Theory and Practice Chris Bird Introductory Horticulture Carroll Shry, Edward Reiley Page 5 of 5