Horticulture: Its Different Branches, Importance, and Scope

1. Meaning and Definition of Horticulture

Etymology

• The word Horticulture comes from two Latin words:
  • “Hortus” → garden
  • “Cultura” → cultivation or tillage
    Thus, horticulture literally means “the cultivation of garden crops.”

Definition

• According to the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS):
• “Horticulture is the branch of agricultural science that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation for human use, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds, and non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees.”
• In simple terms, horticulture is the science and art of growing high-value, intensively cultivated food and ornamental plants.

2. Historical Background of Horticulture

• The practice of horticulture is as old as civilization itself.
• Early humans collected edible fruits and vegetables from forests before they learned organized cultivation.
• Ancient civilizations like Egyptians, Romans, Chinese, and Indians practiced horticultural techniques such as grafting and garden layout.
• In India, evidence of horticultural practices is found in the Indus Valley Civilization (around 2500 B.C.) — mango, banana, and date palm cultivation.
• During the Mughal period, ornamental gardening reached great heights (e.g., Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh).
• Modern horticulture in India developed with the establishment of agricultural universities and ICAR institutes, such as:
  • Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru
  • Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow
  • Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Srinagar

3. Divisions / Branches of Horticulture;

   Horticulture is broadly divided into six major branches, each with distinct importance and techniques.

• Pomology (Fruit Science)

Definition: Pomology is the branch of horticulture that deals with the study, cultivation, and management of fruit crops.

Sub-branches:

1. Tropical Pomology – Mango, Banana, Papaya, Guava
2. Subtropical Pomology – Citrus, Litchi, Pomegranate
3. Temperate Pomology – Apple, Pear, Plum, Peach

Scope and Importance:

• Fruits are rich in vitamins (A, B, C) and minerals (Ca, Fe, K).
• Fruit industry generates high income per unit area.
• Employment in nursery, packing, grading, processing, and export.
• Contributes to health improvement and nutritional security.

Examples of Pomological Crops: Mango, Guava, Banana, Papaya, Apple, Citrus, Grape, Litchi, Pomegranate.

• Olericulture (Vegetable Science)

Definition: Olericulture is the branch of horticulture that deals with the production, storage, processing, and marketing of vegetables.

Classification of Vegetables:

• Leafy vegetables: Spinach, Amaranthus, Fenugreek
• Root vegetables: Carrot, Radish, Beetroot
• Fruity vegetables: Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, Cucumber
• Bulb vegetables: Onion, Garlic
• Tuber vegetables: Potato, Sweet Potato
• Flower vegetables: Cauliflower, Broccoli

Importance:

• Quick-growing, high-yielding, and highly remunerative crops.
• Source of essential nutrients, vitamins, and roughage.
• Suitable for crop rotation and intensive cultivation.
• Provides raw material for processing industries (e.g., ketchup, chips, pickles).

• Floriculture (Flower and Ornamental Plant Science)

Definition: Floriculture deals with the cultivation and management of flowering and ornamental plants for decoration, commerce, and landscaping.

Sub-branches:

• Commercial Floriculture: Cut flowers, potted plants, seeds.
• Floral Design: Bouquet making, garlands, and flower arrangements.
• Nursery Management: Raising ornamental plants for sale.

Examples: Rose, Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, Carnation, Jasmine, Tuberose.

Importance:

• Provides raw materials for perfume and essential oil industries.
• High export potential — Netherlands, USA, UAE import Indian flowers.
• Plays an important role in urban beautification and tourism.
• Generates income and employment, especially for women.

• Landscape Gardening / Landscape Horticulture

Definition: This branch deals with planning, design, establishment, and maintenance of outdoor or indoor spaces for aesthetic, functional, and environmental purposes.

Elements:

• Lawns, hedges, flower beds, fountains, pavements, garden furniture, and trees.
• Styles: Mughal, Japanese, English, Persian, and Modern.

Importance:

• Enhances aesthetic appeal and environmental quality.
• Reduces noise and air pollution.
• Increases property value and improves mental health.
• Creates opportunities in tourism, real estate, and city development.

• Post-Harvest Technology (PHT)

Definition: Post-Harvest Technology deals with handling, packaging, transportation, storage, processing, and marketing of horticultural produce.

Processes Involved:

• Cleaning, grading, curing, waxing, pre-cooling, packaging, storage, and marketing.
• Processing into juices, jams, jellies, pickles, candies, etc.

Importance:

• Reduces post-harvest losses (20–40%).
• Increases shelf life and export value.
• Encourages establishment of agro-processing industries.

Plantation Crops, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

• Plantation Crops: Long-duration, perennial crops grown on a large scale. Examples: Coconut, Arecanut, Coffee, Tea, Rubber, Cocoa.
• Spices and Condiments: Used for flavoring, seasoning, and preservation. Examples: Black Pepper, Cardamom, Clove, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ginger, Chilli.
• Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Used for preparation of medicines, cosmetics, and essential oils. Examples: Aloe vera, Ashwagandha, Lemongrass, Tulsi, Mint, Citronella.

Importance:

• Export-oriented and high-value crops.
• Support pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and beverage industries.
• Suitable for organic and small-scale farming.

Importance and Scope of Horticulture

• Importance of Horticulture Horticulture plays a vital role in food security, nutritional improvement, employment generation, and economic growth. It is not only about cultivation of fruits and vegetables but also about enhancing human health, environment, and national income.

Nutritional Importance

• Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of essential nutrients — vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
• Help in preventing nutritional deficiency diseases such as:
  • Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency)
  • Night blindness (Vitamin A deficiency)
  • Anemia (Iron deficiency)
• Promote balanced diets and healthy lifestyles.

Fact: As per the National Horticulture Board (NHB) 2023, India produces about 355 million tonnes of horticultural crops annually. Fruits and vegetables together contribute around 90% of total horticultural production.

Economic Importance

• Horticultural crops are high-value crops — they yield more profit per unit area compared to cereals and pulses.
• Contribute significantly to the agricultural GDP of India.
• Promote diversification of agriculture, helping farmers earn better incomes.
• Enable export earnings through products like mangoes, grapes, banana, spices, and flowers.

Fact: The horticulture sector contributes over 33% of India’s agricultural GDP while occupying only about 15% of cropped area. India exports horticultural products worth USD 6–7 billion annually (APEDA, 2023–24).

Employment Generation

• Horticulture is labor-intensive, providing year-round employment in:
  • Nursery raising
  • Orchard management
  • Flower production
  • Packaging and processing industries
• Especially beneficial for rural youth and women.

Fact: According to ICAR estimates, horticulture provides 3–4 times more employment per hectare compared to cereal crops.

Industrial Importance

• Provides raw materials for:
  • Food processing industries (jams, jellies, juices, pickles)
  • Cosmetic industries (rose oil, aloe vera)
  • Pharmaceutical industries (medicinal and aromatic plants)
• Encourages establishment of agro-based industries in rural areas.

Fact: The Indian food processing sector is valued at USD 535 billion (2024), with horticulture-based processing contributing a major share.

Environmental Importance

1. Trees and ornamental plants absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and reduce air pollution.
2. Gardens, orchards, and green belts help in:
   • Reducing noise
   • Controlling soil erosion
   • Conserving biodiversity
3. Horticultural crops improve micro-climatic conditions and urban livability.

Fact: A single mature tree produces enough oxygen to support two human beings per year.

Aesthetic and Psychological Importance

• Floriculture and landscaping beautify surroundings, promote tourism, and improve mental health.
• Urban horticulture (terrace gardens, vertical gardens) improves the quality of life.
• Green spaces contribute to ecological balance and stress reduction.

Export Importance

• India exports a wide range of horticultural products like mango, banana, grapes, pomegranate, spices, and cut flowers.
• These exports contribute to foreign exchange earnings and global trade balance.

Fact:

• India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes, bananas, and okra, and second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables overall.
• Major export destinations: UAE, UK, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh.

2. Scope of Horticulture

The scope of horticulture in India is broad, multidimensional, and rapidly expanding, owing to its economic, nutritional, and environmental significance.

• National Scope
• Production Status
• • India’s total horticultural production (2023–24): ~355 million tonnes.
  • Area under horticulture: about 28 million hectares.
  • Major producing states: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat.

Fact: India ranks 2nd in the world in fruits and vegetables production (after China).

• Government Support and Initiatives

The Indian government promotes horticulture through several national missions and schemes:

• Employment and Career Opportunities

Horticulture offers diverse career options across government, private, and research sectors:

• Government Sector
  • Horticulture Development Officer
  • Agriculture Inspector
  • Research Assistant / Scientist (ICAR)
  • Extension Officer
• Private Sector
  • Agro-industries, seed companies, floriculture firms
  • Greenhouse and landscaping businesses
  • Export and supply-chain management
• Entrepreneurship
  • Fruit and vegetable farming, nurseries, tissue culture labs
  • Organic and hydroponic farming
  • Post-harvest processing and agri-startups

Fact: The Indian horticulture industry is expected to grow by 10–12% annually in the next decade (FICCI 2024 report).

Educational and Research Scope

• Academic Opportunities: B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. in Horticulture and allied sciences.
• Research Institutions:
  • IIHR Bengaluru, CISH Lucknow, CITH Srinagar, ICAR-NRC Grapes, ICAR-NRC Banana, etc.
• Emerging Research Areas:
  • Biotechnology and tissue culture
  • Protected cultivation and precision farming
  • Post-harvest management and value addition

• Future Scope / Trends
• Protected Cultivation: Polyhouse, greenhouse, and hydroponic systems for high-value crops.
• Urban and Peri-urban Horticulture: Rooftop, vertical, and kitchen gardening.
• Organic and Natural Farming: Rising demand for pesticide-free produce.
• Export and Value Addition: Ready-to-eat, minimally processed fruits and vegetables.
• Climate-Resilient Varieties: Drought- and pest-tolerant fruit and vegetable varieties.

Fact: The Indian horticulture export market is projected to reach USD 12 billion by 2030.

• Summary Table