Course: B.Sc. Agriculture

Subject: Principles of Horticulture

Unit :1

Introduction of Horticulture

•Horticulture is a science of studying garden plants.

•The world Horticulture is derived from two Latin words

viz. Hortus means garden and Culture means knowledge of

growing these crops.

•Horticulture is an aesthetic science that deals with the

important crops which are grown in the gardens e.g.

vegetable crops in vegetable garden, fruit crops in fruit

orchards.

Horticulture

1. As compared to field crops Horticultural crops give more returns per unit

area (More yield in terms of weight and money).

2. Horticulture crops are important as their nutritional status is high.

Particularly fruits and vegetables provide high amount of vitamins and

minerals to us.

3. Horticulture is important as it beautifies the surroundings.

4. Horticulture crops are suitable for small and marginal farmers.

5. The varieties of crops are available in the Horticulture section with wide

range of uses.

6. Horticultural plants improve environment by reducing pollution,

conserves soil and water and improve socio-economic status of the farmer.

Scope of Horticultural crops .

Importance and scope of Horticulture

1. Varied agro climatic conditions in India, allows growing

different Horticultural crops in different regions.

2. Increasing irrigation facilities provide more scope for growing

Horticultural crops.

3. Availability of technical information regarding production of

Horticultural crops will provide congenial condition for growing

these crops.

4. Increasing communication and transport facilities provide greater

markets to Horticultural crops.

Factors affecting the scope of Horticultural crops in India

5. There is scope for export of fresh and processed products.

6. Greater demand for Horticultural commodities in local

markets.

7. Facilities provided by the government helps farmer to replace

their traditional crops with Horticultural crops.

8. Development of financial institutions, co-operatives in rural

areas. increasing returns from these crops.

1. Olericulture (Vegetable culture):

This branch deals with the study of vegetable crops.

Vegetables are nutritive food of plant origin which are normally

cooked before consumption or eaten raw as salad. e.g. Cabbage,

Tomato, Fenugreek.

2. Pomology (Fruit Culture):

This branch of Horticulture deals with study of different

fruit crops. Cultivation, management and other aspects of fruit crops

are covered under this branch e.g. Mango, Banana, Grapes.

Branches of Horticulture

3. Floriculture and Ornamental Gardening:

This branch of Horticulture covers flower crops and

ornamental plants. Study of different flower crops and ornamental

plants with reference to their production and uses. It also includes

gardening, landscaping and beautification of surroundings e.g.

Roses, asters, lily, Cactus, Ferns, etc.

4. Post Harvest Technology and preservation:

Study of post harvest handling, marketing, and processing

of Horticultural crops is covered under this branch. Post harvest

management of fruits, vegetables, flowers with their storage,

marketing and preservation is studied under this branch e.g.

Preparation of jam, jelly, ketchup etc.

1) Nutrition:

Vegetables are rich and comparatively cheaper source of

vitamins. Consumption of these items provides taste, palatability,

increases appetite and provides fiber for digestion and to prevent

constipation. Their consumption in plenty fair amount of protein. They

also play key role in neutralizing the acids produced during digestion of

pretentious and fatty foods and also provide valuable roughages which

help in movement of food in intestine.

Some of the vegetables are good sources of carbohydrates

(leguminous vegetables, sweet potato, potato, onion, garlic and methi)

proteins (peas, beams, leafy vegetables and garlic) vitamin A (carrot,

tomato, drumstick, leafy vegetables), Vitamin B (peas, garlic and tomato),

Vitamin C (green chillies, drumstick leaves, Cole crops, leafy vegetables

and leaves of radish) minerals (leafy vegetables, drumstick pods). As per

dietician, daily requirement of vegetables is 75 - 125 g of green leafy

vegetables, 85 g of other vegetables and 85 g of roots and tubers with

other food.

Importance of Vegetables

2) Importance as Food:

Food production is increasing. If is essential to sustain increased

production besides nutritional standard of people. It can be increased by

increasing production of vegetables which will help to solve food problem as

yield of vegetable crops is 4 to 10 times more than cereals. Thus, vegetables

play a vital role on food front as they are cheapest-sources of natural foods and

can admirably supplement the main cereals of the country.

3) Importance to a grower:

Nature is in providing us-with all kinds of vegetable crops that can be

grown in different seasons of the year in region. Different kinds of vegetables

provide leaf, stem, flower, fruit or seed for consumption.' Considering vividness

in the requirement of soil and season farmers can grow vegetable crops

throughout the year for earning regular and steady income to meet the daily

expenditure. There are vegetables of very short duration that can be grown as

rained and intercrops in either agronomical crops or vegetable crops. There 'are

vegetables which will improve soil and also provide fodder to catties. Thus

farmer has wide choice to select suitable crop to adjust in his cropping pattern

in given situation. Climate and soil conditions of this region are conducive to

grow different vegetables.

4) Employment:

Since cultivation of vegetable crops involve intensive cultural

operations starting from sowing to marketing, it provides more and

regular employment opportunities in rural areas.

5) Industrial importance:

The perishable nature of vegetables demand comprehensive

planning for movement, Storage, processing and distribution of vegetable

products. The growth of vegetable industry as a commercial proposition

largely depends on mainly allied enterprises like storage, processing

marketing and maintenance and service enterprises to encourage vegetable

growing.

6) Importance of vegetables Production for medicinal properties:

Many of the vegetable crops posses high medical value for

curing certain diseases. For instance, onion and garlic are found to possess

antibacterial property (Sharma et. al. 1976). Many solanaceous and

cucurbitaceous vegetables are found to possess Vitamin D.

Statistics on area and production of vegetable crops is

not so accurate. It is highly essential develop some procedure to

work out proper figures of area and production. It is most

important for planning its production as per population.

As per recommendation of different every adult

has to consume 250-300 g of vegetable per day.

India is the second largest producers of vegetable with

2.8 % of total cropped area under vegetables. An increase of 2.5 %

per year in vegetable production is also necessary. Present

production of 1.5 million tones of vegetable supply only 145 g per

capital per day against recommended requirements of 300 g.

Statistics of Area and Production of Vegetable in India

Sr. No Vegetable Area (000 ha ) Production (000MT)

1 Potato 1120 18500

2 Cabbage 220 4200

3 Tomato 330 5000

4 Cauliflower 280 500

5 Onion 405 4300

6 Brinjal 310 3300

7 Beans 145 390

8 Peas 148 2150

9 Cucumber 17 114

Area and Production of Different Vegetable Crops in India

Sr.No States Area (M ha) Production

(MT)

Productivity

(t/ha)

1 Orissa 0.87 8.7 10.0

2 Uttar Pradesh 0.86 13.88 I 16.13 III

3 Bihar 0.85 12.28 II 14.44

4 West Bengal 0.51 5.39 10.56

5 Karnataka 0.29 5.70 19.65 II

6 Kerala 0.24 2.78 11.58

7 Maharashtra 0.21 2.95 14.04

8 Tamil Nadu 0.17 4.39 25.82 I

Area, Production and Productivity of Different States

VEGETABLE CLASSIFICATION

Different methods of classification followed in vegetables are described below

Botanical classification

Botanical classification is based on taxonomical

relationship among different vegetables. Plant kingdom is divided

into four viz.Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteriodophyt a and

Spermatophyte. All vegetables belong to division Angiospermae of

Spermatophyta. It is further divided into two classes viz.,

Monocotyledoneae and dicotyledoneae.

Classification based on parts used

In this system, crops are classified based on their parts used for

vegetable purpose.

Tender stem and leaves:

Cabbage, Chinese cabbage, knolkhol, Amaranth, palak

etc.

Fruits:

Tomato, brinjal, chilli, cowpea etc.

Flower parts:

Sprouting broccoli

Under ground portion:

Carrot, radish, beet root, potato etc.

Classification based on hardiness

This classification is based on ability to withstand

frost and low temperature and it will be useful to know season of

cultivation of a crop. Here the vegetable crops are classified into

hardy, semi hardy and tender. Hardy vegetables tolerate frost and low

temperature and are basically winter or cool season or temperate

vegetables. Warm season or subtropical or tropical vegetables are

considered as tender since they cannot withstand frost. Temperate

vegetables, in general, can be stored for long periods under low

temperature. Tropical vegetables are bulky and more perishable

compared to temperate vegetables.

Hardy Semi hardy Tender

Garlic Beet root Brinjal

Onion Carrot Okra

Peas Palak Chilli

Radish Potato Cluster bean

Spinach lettuce Tomato

Sweet potato

Classification based on season of cultivation

This is one of the most important classifications from the

grower’s point of view since majority of vegetables are season bound and

specific to particular seasons. Vegetables are classified into summer season

crops, rainy season crops and winter season crops based on growth and

production during particular seasons.

Spring / summer season prevails from February to June / July

under North Indian plains and from January to May / June in South Indian

plains.

October to January is winter season, experiencing chilling

temperature, in most parts of the country.

However, in high rain warm humid climatic condition of Kerala,

a distinct winter season is lacking and rainy season starts from June and

extents up to September. Here vegetable crops can be grouped as rainy

season, mild winter season, and summer season crops.

A few typical vegetables suited to each group are :

Winter season crops- Cruciferous vegetables, carrot, radish,

beetroot, onion, garlic, peas etc.

Mild winter- Hyacinth bean, winged bean, tomato

Summer season- All gourds, amaranth

Rainy season crops- Okra, chilli, brinjal, cluster been, cowpea etc.

However, depending on receipts of rain, slight variation is noticed in

different parts of country. Usually early rains are received in Kerala

where monsoon starts during last week of May or first week of June.

Cultivars

The choice of cultivars depends upon its climatic

requirement, soil conditions and moisture availability. In case of temperate

fruits, it is necessary to see whether the cultivars to be planted will get

necessary chilling hours in winter. Wherever pollinizers are recommended,

they should be planted in sufficient numbers as they result in higher yield.

Method of cultivation

Planting distance

The spacing given to the fruit trees are generally governed by

the various factors like climate, soil, choice of cultivars, growth habit of

tree, rootstock used, nature of irrigation and pruning technique followed.

Vigorous cultivars on vigorous rootstocks need more spacing than less

vigorous cultivars on dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks .

Planting time

Evergreen plants like those of mango, citrus, guava, papaya,

litchi and other fruits can be planted in two seasons viz. (i) Spring season

(Feb.-April) and (ii) rainy season (July-September). It is preferable to carry

out planting of litchi, mango, in late rainy season i.e. September or early

October when weather becomes mild and more favourable and enough

moisture is available in the soil.

Where irrigation is available, spring plantation can be done.

The deciduous fruits are planted once in a year i.e. during late winter when

they are still dormant. Planting should be completed before emergence of

new growth in spring. In snow bound areas, planting should be completed

before emergence of new growth in spring. In snow bound areas, planting

operation can be deferred till the snow melts or is cleared.

Planting of fruit trees should be avoided during hot and dry

spells and preferably be done in the afternoon on cloudy and humid days

rather than in bright sunshine and dry weather.

Providing windbreaks

An effective windbreak of tall trees alternating with relatively small

but spreading trees must be grown on the windward side of orchard, well before

the orchard is planted to protect trees from hot winds of summer which damages

the trees and results in fruit-drop.

Eucalyptus, Jamun, seedling mango, mulberry are some of the trees

which can make good windbreaks under sub-tropical conditions.

Digging and filling of pits

Preparation of pits and planting should always be done with the

help of planting board. The guide pegs are planted at both ends. One meter

deep pits of 1 meter diameter should be dug. Top 30 cm soil should be kept

on one side and is used for refilling the pits as fertile soil. Bottom 70 cm

soil should be kept on other side. The pits should be exposed for a few

days before planting. The pits should be filled with mixture of top soil, 2-3

baskets of silt as well as well rotten farm yard manure. The refilled pits

should be watered properly before planting the tree. To each pit, 0.05%

chlorpyriphos can be added against white ants.

Manuring and fertilization Fruit trees remove large amount of nutrients from soil than

most other crops. An orchard can be maintained in commercial bearing by

adding adequate manuring. However, the manorial requirements of fruit trees

are governed by many factors like fruit kind, fruit cultivars, climatic conditions

and cultural practices followed. For proper fertilizer programme, there is need

of soil and leaf analysis for particular fruit growing area.

Organic manures should be applied 3 months ahead of spring

so that nutrients are converted into available for m by the onset of spring

season. The fertilizers should be placed in bands or trenches around the tree in

basins. The basin should be increased with the increasing age and canopy of the

tree.

Irrigation For obtaining a good yield, it is necessary to have optimum

moisture in the soil at certain critical stages of growth, flowering, fruit set and fruit

development. The aim of irrigating a tree should be to wet the entire rooting zone.

Depending upon the availability of water, different irrigation systems, like furrow,

basin, sprinkler and drip can be utilized. In rainfed areas, water-harvesting

techniques during rains should be practiced.

Rate of Respiration

After harvesting, the rate of respiration of the parts harvested

enhence depending on the climatic condition. The vegetables having lowest

respiration possess the longest storage ability

Very high High Moderare Low Very low

Asparagas Bean Beet Cabbage Onion

Brocolli Lettuce Carrot Sweet potato Potato

Pea Lima bean Tomato Turnip

Spinach Cucumber

Respiration rate of Vegetable

Non-climacteric fruit is fruit that does not ripen after

harvest. All fruits and many vegetables and nuts are classified as

either climacteric or non-climacteric. Climacteric fruits will ripen,

i.e. get softer and sweeter after harvest. Non-climacteric fruits, once

harvested, never ripen further. The biochemical process involved is

that climacteric fruits give off large amounts of ethylene gas whereas

non-climacteric fruits give little or no ethylene gas.

E.g. Non-climacteric fruits – Cashew, pineapple,

lime, orange, strawberry, cherry, Grape.

Climacteric fruits – Jack Fruit, Papaya, Apple,

Mango, Banana, Guava, Peach, Pear,

Soil Reaction

The vegetable according to their tolerance to soil

reaction are dividing into the following three groups

Slightly tolerate(pH 6.8-6.0)

Moderately tolerant(pH 6.8-5.5)

Highly tolerate(pH 6.8-5.0)

Beet Carrot Potato

Cabbage Tomato Sweet potato

Okra Cucumber Water melon

Cauliflower Brinjal

Palak Pea

Onion Garlic

It is the method of growing of vegetables out of

their normal in sellers, heated buildings, greenhouses, cold farms

and under other artificial growing conditions. It is the most

intensive type of vegetable growing. Vegetable produced through

these, give a very high return, vegetable forcing is not possible

because the consumers cannot afford the prices of such vegetables.

According to Choudhury (1997) growing of the

summer vegetables on the river beds during the winter months

with the help of organic manure, with breaks of dry grass is also

type of forcing. Some times for early product seedlings of crops

like tomato or brinjal are forced to germinate in small protected

structures. This may also be a type of vegetable forcing.

Vegetable Forcing

Web References:

1. Agri info.in

2. ICAR e-courses