INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
1. India is the seventh largest country in the world with a total geographical area of 328.73
m ha. and has second largest population 121 crores (2011) after China.
2. The total arable land available is 144 m.ha.
3. Around 55-60 per cent of population depends on agriculture and allied activities.
4. Horticulture crops constitute a significant component of total agricultural productionin
the country.
5. The term horticulture is derived from latin words: “hortus” meaning “garden” and
“cultura” meaning “cultivation”. In ancient days the gardens were protected enclosures
with high walls or similar structures surrounding the houses.
6. The enclosed places were used to grow fruit, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants.
Therefore, in original sense “Horticulture refers to cultivation of garden plants within
protected enclosures”.
7. Present days the horticulture may be defined as the science and technique of production,
processing and merchandizing of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantations and
medicinal and aromatic plants.
BRANCHES OF HORTICULTURE
Horticulture is a wide field and includes a great variety and diversity of crops. The
science of horticulture can be divided into several branches depending upon the crops it deals
with. The following are the branches.
 Pomology: refers to cultivation of fruit crops.
 Olericulture: refers to cultivation of vegetables.
 Floriculture: refers to cultivation of flower crops.
 Plantation Crops: refers to cultivation of crops like coconut, arecanut, rubber, coffee
etc.
 Spices Crops: refers to cultivation of crops like, cardamom, pepper, nutmeg etc.
 Medicinal and Aromatic Crops: deals with 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.
Fruit crops
India is the second largest producer of fruit after Brazil. A large variety of fruit crops
are grown in India. Of these, mango, banana, citrus, papaya, guava, pineapple, sapota, jackfruit,
litchi, grapes, apple, pear, peach, plum, walnut etc. are important ones.
India accounts for 10 per cent of the total world production of fruits. It leads the world
in 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.
Vegetable crops
More than 40 vegetables belonging to Solanaceaeous, cucurbitaceous, leguminous,
cruciferous, root crops and leafy vegetables are grown in Indian tropical , sub-tropical and
temperate region.
Important vegetables grown in India are onion, tomato, potato, brinjal, peas, beans,
okra, chilli, cabbage, cauliflower, bottle gourd, cucumber, watermelon, carrot, radish etc.
India is second in vegetable production next to China in area and production
contributing 13.38 percent to the total world production. India occupies first position in
cauliflower, second in Onion, third in cabbage in the world.
West Bengal, Orissa, U.P, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka are the important states for
Horticultural crop production.
Flower Crops
Flower cultivation is being practiced in India. Since ages it is an important/integral part
of socio-cultural and religious life of Indian people. It has taken a shape of industry in recent
years.
India is known for growing traditional flowers such as jasmine, marigold,
chrysanthemum, tuberose, crossandra, aster, etc. Commercial cultivation of cut flowers like,
rose, orchids, gladiolus, carnation, anthurium, gerbera etc.
The important flower growing states are Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AP, Maharashtra,
West Bengal, Sikkim, J&K, Meghalaya etc.
Landscape gardening:
It deals with the planning and execution of ornamental gardens, parks, landscape
gardens etc.
Plantation crops
This is one of the important sector contributing about 7500 crores to export earning. The
major plantation crops include coconut, arecanut, oilpalm, Cashew, tea coffee, rubber cocoa,
betel vine, vanilla etc. The leading states are Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, A.P., Maharashtra,
Goa, Assam etc.
Spices
They constitutes 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, A.P., Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Orissa, T.N. etc.
Medicinal and Aromatic plants

India has diverse collection of medicinal and aromatic plants species distributed
throughout the country.
It has more than 9500 species with medicinal properties. Demand for these crop is
increasing progressively in both domestic and export market.
Important medicinal plants are Isabgol, Periwinkle, coleus, ashwagandha, etc. and
aromatic plants are mint, grasses, davana, patchouli etc.
Post harvest technology:

It deals with the processing and preservation of produce of horticulture crops.
Nursery and seed production:

It deals with the production of seeds and planting material of horticulture crops on
commercial basis. Plants grown for aesthetic value are also included in horticulture. Though
crops like potato, cowpea and several condiments are grown as field crops they are included
under horticultural crops when they are grown as vegetables in small areas.
FEATURES OF HORTICULTURE
 Horticultural produces are mostly utilized in the fresh state and are highly perishable.
 Horticultural crops need intensive cultivation requiring a large input of capital, labour
and technology per unit area.
 Cultural operations like propagation, training, pruning and harvesting are skilled and
specific to horticultural crops.
 Horticultural produce are rich source of vitamins and minerals and alkaloids.
 Aesthetic gratification is an exclusive phenomenon to horticultural science.
Horticulture is important for the following considerations
1. As a source of variability in produce.

2. As a source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, flavour, aroma, alkaloids, oleoresins, fibre,
etc.
3. As a source of medicine.
4. As an economic proposition as they give higher returns per unit area in terms of energy,
money, job, etc.
5. Employment generation 860 man days/annum for fruit crops as against 143 man
days/annum for cereal crops and the crops like grapes,banana and pineapple need 1000-
2500 man days per annum.
6. Effective utilization of waste land through hardy fruits and medicinal plants.
7. As a substitute of family income being component of home garden.
8. As a foreign exchange earner has higher share compare to agriculture crops.
9. As an input for industry being amenable to processing, especially fruit and vegetable
preservation industry.
10. Aesthetic consideration and protection of environment.
11. Religious significance.
 In short horticulture supplies quality food for health and mind, more calories per unit
area, develops better resources and yields higher returns per unit area.
 It also enhances land value and creates better purchasing power for those who are
engaged in this industry.
 Therefore, horticulture is important for health, wealth, hygiene and happiness.

INTRODUCTION

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INTRODUCTION

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INTRODUCTION

Medicinal and Aromatic plants

Post harvest technology:

Nursery and seed production:

Horticulture is important for the following considerations

1. As a source of variability in produce.

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