Fundamentals of Horticulture : Syllabus, Class Notes

Syllabus of Fundamentals of Horticulture (NEW) 2(1+1)

Theory:

• Introduction to horticulture: definition, scope, importance and branches of horticulture
• Classification of horticultural crops based on botanical, climatic and use criteria
• Horticultural zones and regions of India and the world
• Horticultural therapy and landscaping: concepts, principles and types
• Propagation of horticultural crops: methods, advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual propagation
• Nursery management: site selection, layout, structures and equipment, media preparation, irrigation, fertilization, pest and disease management, quality standards and certification
• Cultivation practices of major fruit crops: mango, banana, citrus, guava, papaya, grapes, pomegranate, sapota, pineapple, jackfruit, ber, aonla, date palm, apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, almond, walnut, cherry, strawberry, kiwi, litchi, avocado, olive, etc.
• Cultivation practices of major vegetable crops: tomato, brinjal, chilli, capsicum, okra, cucurbits, cole crops, root crops, leafy vegetables, bulb crops, peas, beans, etc.
• Cultivation practices of major spice crops: black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, coriander, fenugreek, fennel, cumin, etc.
• Cultivation practices of major plantation crops: coconut, arecanut, oil palm, cashew, tea, coffee, rubber, cocoa, etc.
• Cultivation practices of major tuber crops: potato, sweet potato, tapioca, yam, colocasia, etc.
• Cultivation practices of major flower crops: rose, jasmine, marigold, chrysanthemum, carnation, gerbera, orchids, gladiolus, tuberose, anthurium, etc.
• Cultivation practices of major medicinal and aromatic crops: ashwagandha, aloe vera, isabgol, senna, stevia, mint, basil, lemongrass, citronella, palmarosa, etc.

Practical:

• Identification of horticultural crops and their botanical families
• Identification and preparation of propagation materials and media
• Demonstration of propagation methods: seed sowing, cutting, layering, grafting, budding, etc.
• Preparation and maintenance of nursery beds and pots
• Visit to horticultural nurseries and farms
• Layout and planting of fruit orchards and vegetable gardens
• Pruning and training of fruit trees and ornamental plants
• Manuring and irrigation of horticultural crops
• Pest and disease management of horticultural crops
• Harvesting and post-harvest handling of horticultural produce
• Preparation of value-added products from horticultural crops
• Preparation of herbarium and project report

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Notes on Introduction to Horticulture:

Definition of Horticulture:

• Horticulture is the science and art of growing, processing, and marketing of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantations, medicinal and aromatic plants.

Scope of Horticulture:

• Horticulture is a diverse field encompassing a wide variety of crops and production systems.
• It plays a significant role in:
• Improving nutritional security
• Income generation
• Employment creation
• Environmental protection
• Aesthetic value enhancement of human life.

Importance of Horticulture:

• Horticulture provides high-value crops that can:
• Enhance farm profitability
• Diversify agriculture
• Boost exports
• Improve human health due to the rich sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals in horticultural crops.
• Contributes to:
• Rural development
• Poverty alleviation
• Women empowerment
• Social transformation.

Branches of Horticulture:

• Horticulture branches based on the crops it deals with include:
• Pomology: Cultivation of fruit crops.
• Olericulture: Cultivation of vegetable crops.
• Floriculture: Cultivation of flower crops.
• Plantation crops: Cultivation of crops like coconut, arecanut, oil palm, cashew, tea, coffee, rubber, cocoa, etc.
• Spices crops: Cultivation of crops like black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, chilli, coriander, etc.
• Medicinal and aromatic crops: Cultivation of crops with medicinal and aromatic properties like isabgol, senna, opium poppy, periwinkle, coleus, ashwagandha, etc.
• Post-harvest technology: Handling, processing, storage, packaging, marketing, and value addition of horticultural produce.
• Plant propagation: Methods and techniques of multiplying plants.

Notes on Classification of Horticultural Crops:

Botanical Classification:

• Horticultural crops can be classified based on botanical families, genera, and species.
• Example classifications include:
• Mango, cashew, and pistachio belong to the family Anacardiaceae.
• Citrus, lime, and lemon belong to the family Rutaceae.
• Apple, pear, and almond belong to the family Rosaceae.

Climatic Classification:

• Horticultural crops can be classified based on their climatic requirements:
• Tropical crops: Thrive in hot and humid conditions (e.g., banana, coconut, papaya).
• Subtropical crops: Suitable for mild and moderate conditions (e.g., citrus, guava, grape).
• Temperate crops: Flourish in cold and cool conditions (e.g., apple, pear, peach, plum).

Use Classification:

• Horticultural crops can be classified based on their use and purpose:
• Edible crops: Consumed as food (e.g., fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices).
• Ornamental crops: Grown for beauty and decoration (e.g., flowers, foliage, bonsai).
• Industrial crops: Grown for products used in industries (e.g., rubber, oil palm, coconut).
• Medicinal crops: Grown for therapeutic properties (e.g., isabgol, senna, opium poppy).
• Aromatic crops: Grown for fragrance and flavor (e.g., lemon grass, citronella, patchouli).

Notes on Horticultural Zones and Regions:

Horticultural Zones of India:

• India has six major horticultural zones:
• Temperate zone: Covers Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
• North-western subtropical zone: Includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
• North-eastern subtropical zone: Encompasses Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, etc.
• Central tropical zone: Covers Gujarat, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
• Southern tropical zone: Includes Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
• Coastal tropical humid zone: Encompasses Konkan, Goa, Kerala, and parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa.

Horticultural Regions of the World:

• Major horticultural regions worldwide:
• Tropical region: Near the equator with hot and humid climate (e.g., banana, coconut, pineapple).
• Subtropical region: Between the tropics and temperate zones with mild and moderate climate (e.g., citrus, grape, guava).
• Temperate region: Between subtropical and polar zones with cold climate (e.g., apple, pear, peach).
• Mediterranean region: Around the Mediterranean Sea and parts of California, Chile, South Africa, and Australia (e.g., olive, grape, citrus).
• Arid and semi-arid region: Characterized by low rainfall, high temperature, and low humidity (e.g., date palm, cactus, aloe vera).