This document provides an overview of the course HOR-215: Basic Horticulture and Plant Propagation. It begins with definitions of horticulture and its scope and importance, including its contributions to national income, employment, and food supply. Horticulture is divided into several branches: pomology (fruit crops), olericulture (vegetable crops), floriculture, spices, condiments, plantation crops, medicinal plants, and aromatic plants. Floriculture is further divided into commercial floriculture, arboriculture, and ornamental floriculture. Examples are given for each division of horticulture. The document outlines the first two lectures of the course, which cover definitions and the classification of horticultural

1. HOR -215: BASIC
HORTICULTURE
&PLANT
PROPAGATION
BY AGRISHORTS

2. CONTENTS:
LECTURE 1
• Horticulture - Definition
• Scope and importance
• Divisions
LECTURE 2
• Classification of horticultural crops

3. HORTICULTURE:
Horticulture may be defined as a branch of agricultural science which deals with the production ,
utilization and improvement of fruits , vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, spices , condiments,
plantation crops , medicinal and aromatic plants.
Origin: From two latin words ‘Hortus’ – Garden; ‘Cultura’ – Cultivation;
SCOPE & IMPORTANCE:
1. Horticultural crops contribute to national income.
2. Horticultural crops earn foreign exchange through their export.
3. Cultivation of horticulture crops bring money/gold to the farmers , the development in horticulture is
called ‘Golden Horticulture’
4. Foods and vegetables are regarded as protective foods since they supply vitamins, minerals, polyphenols
in adequate quantities.
5. To reduce the burden of diseases

4. 6. Horticultural crops are capable of giving higher tonnage of yield per unit area than other field
crops.
7. The average calorific value produced by horticultural crops is higher than that of field crops.
8. Fruit crops generate more employment opportunities especially in rural sector, uplifting the rural
economy.
9.Orchard tourism
10. Growing horticultural crops is highly remunerative to farmers.
11. Best utilization of waste lands.
12. Horticultural crops are having social importance.
13. Horticultural therapy : Flower therapy or aroma therapy.
14. Government of India has launched the ‘ National Horticultural Mission’ to achieve a production of
300 million tonnes in horticultural crops.
15. Many nationalized banks and private banks are ready to provide loan for massive growing and

5. Pomology
Olericulture
Floriculture
Spices
Condiments
Plantation
crops
Medicinal
plants
Aromatic
plants
Divisions of
Horticulture

6. Pomology: Study of fruit crops
Olericulture: Study of vegetable crops
Floriculture : Art of growing, selling, designing and arranging flowers & foliage plants.
 Commercial floriculture: Deals with cultivation of economic flowers like jasmine, rose,
chrysanthemum.
Production of cut flowers and gift plants.
 Arboriculture: Growing of trees for aesthetic, scientific or educational purposes.
 Landscape gardening: Planning & arrangement of firm grounds, public areas, business
establishments. Use and placements of horticultural plants, buildings and accessories in an
aesthetic manner.
 Ornamental floriculture: Study of various groups of ornamental plants which are used to
decorate indoor and outdoor gardens.
Spices: Plant products used as food adjuncts to add ‘aroma’ & ‘flavour’. Example: Pepper,
cardamum, clove, nutmeg.
Condiments: Plant products used as food adjuncts to add taste only. Example: Coriander and
cumin.
Plantation crops: Crops cultivated on an extensive scale in a large contiguous area owned and
managed by a individual or company. Example: Tea, coffee, rubber, coconut, arecanut.

7. Medicinal plants: Plants yielding alkaloid and steroids principles which have got preventive and curative
properties. Example: Thulasi, Neem, Aloe vera, periwinkle, glory lily, senna
Aromatic plants: Plant parts which yield aromatic essential oils on stem distillation or solvent extraction.
Example: Eucalyptus, Sandalwood, Vettiver, Lemon grass, geranium