Lecture: 01

INTRODUCTION OF HORTICULTURE

DEFINATION
The word horticulture is taken from two Latin words, Hortus+Cultura.
Hortus means; Garden and cultura means cultivation. The cultivation of Garden crops is
called horticulture Garden crops includes, Fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, ornamental
plants trees, lawn etc.
It is the branch of Agriculture, which deals with the study of
growing, harvesting, storing, handling, processing and marketing of fruits, vegetables
flowers and ornamental plants etc.
The total cultivated area in our country only 19.08% under
horticultural crops. In our county 30 different fruits and 50 different vegetables are
grown. The main vegetables, which are grown in Pakistan, are melons, potatoes, chilies,
onion and in fruits, citrus, mango, Banana, Guava Date Palm and Apple are grown.
Punjab is the main producer of citrus and mango. Sindh province leads in Banana, Papaya
and Chiku production. Grapes are produced mainly in Baluchistan.
World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a minimum of 400-
450 grams of fruits and vegetables per day for a healthy human diet? In Pakistan,
however, less than 200 grams per day is available. In Pakistan there is a great demand of
fruits and vegetables that can be met by existing production. Now a day there is a food
crisis in all over the world. Potato is a fourth ranking food crop in the world and increase
potato production could reduce the pressure on grain production.
A complete food must contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins
minerals and fiber. Horticulture foods are an excellent source of all the essential
components of the human diet. Examples are; Fruits, and vegetable juices, fresh and
preserved, due to modern technology and scientific methods various horticultural
products are available to the consumer even in the off season. Horticulture is the sole
supplier of many kinds of ornamental trees, ornamental shrubs and herbaceous, flowering
plants, which are used to beautify the environment and to help in creating a positive side
of human behavior. A well landscaped home, park or picnic areas present evidence that
the aesthetic use of plants is a unique feature of horticulture and an integral part of man’s
environment.

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Lecture: 02
DIVISIONS /BRANCHES OF HORTICULTURE

There are three main branches / divisions of Horticulture.

(1) Pomology
(2) Olericulture
(3) Floriculture

(1) POMOLOGY: (Pomo=Fruit & logy= Science)

The study of fruit is called pomology.
OR
It is the branch of Horticulture which deals with the study of growing, harvesting,
processing, handling, storing and marketing of fruits.
The commercial production of fruits is known as orcharding. The cultivation
of grapes is called viticulture and the cultivation of citrus is known as citriculture.

(2) OLERICULTURE: (Oleri=Vegetables & culture= cultivation)

The study of vegetable production is called olericulture. A vegetable may be
defined as the edible portion of herbaceous plant used fresh or processed.
There are three main categories of vegetables production.
(1) Home Gardening
(2) Market Gardening
(3) Truck Gardening

(1) Home Gardening:

Home Gardening is the growing of vegetables for home use.
(2) Marketing Gardening:
Production of vegetables in small quantity and is sold in local markets which
are usually within a few miles from cities.
(3) Truck Gardening:
Truck gardening is the production of vegetable in relatively large quantities for
distant markets.

VEGETABLE FORCING
Production of vegetables out of their normal season of outdoor production is
known as vegetable forcing.
VEGETABLE PRODUCTION FOR PROCESSING.
Processing refers to the ways and means by which vegetables or their
product are preserved for future use instead of fresh consumption.
(3) FLORICULTURE: (Flori = Flower & culture = cultivation)
Floriculture is the branch of horticulture which deals with the study of
flowers.
(4) ARBORICULTURE: (Arbo=Tree & culture= Cultivation)
Growing and caring of trees for aesthetics purposes.
Example: - Street and Avenue tree and shade trees.

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(5) NURSERY BUSINESS:
This is concerned with the propagation and growing of young trees, shrubs
and other plants for sale.

(6) LANDSCAPE GARDENING AND DESIGN:

It deals with the cultivation and maintenance of horticultural planting for
homes and public grounds.
(7) SEED TRADE:
It deals with the production of seeds of many types of fruits, vegetables and
flowers.
(8) ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE
The branch of horticulture which deals with the study of ornamental plants,
ornamental plants are those plants which are used for beautification purpose.
Example: flowers, trees, shrubs, lawn etc.
(9) MUSHROOM CULTURE
It is the branch of horticulture that deals with the cultivation of mushrooms.

Lecture: 03
SIGNIFICANCE (IMPORTANCE) OF HORTICULTURE

The horticulture industry provides many essential components of our daily diet and meets
the individual aesthetic requirements (needs). Approximately 30% food consumed in the
world is produced in the horticulture sector. It is a profession for many research and
teachers and an occupation and vocation for others working in the production phases. It is
a business for merchants and a source of exercise and a small income for amateurs.
Horticulture promotes the physical and mental health and economic prosperity of
individuals and nations.

ROLE OF HORTICULTURE IN THE ENVIRONMENT:

Plants serve as lungs in cleaning our environment by regulating the Co 2
content of air. Air pollution and general degradation of the environment due to
industrialization can be best controlled using proper plant material. Plants prevent soil
erosion and hardy trees like jujube, guava, date palm and pomegranate can be planted to
reclaim waterlogged soil. Trees acts as a barrier to reduce the velocity of winds. The
presence of vegetation results mild climate.

MEDICINAL PLANTS:
Many plants with medicinal value are cultivated in the horticulture sector.
Pharmacology (the science of drugs and medicines) is dependent on these plants. The
cultivation and maintenance of such plants has its own aesthetic and economic
importance. Falsa, sweet, lime, Jaman and pomegranate are known for their cooling
effects. Grapefruit is recommended for dieting patients. Bitter gourd and Jaman are also
considered to help diabetes.

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Lecture: 04
CLASSIFICATION OF HORTICULTURAL PLANTS

The following of the horticultural plants are classified in the number of ways depending
on the size and mode of their growth duration of their life cycle, their cultivation and
many other morphological and physiological characteristics. Some of the common
classification of the horticultural plants is given below.

(1) CALSSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE PLANT SIZE AND THE MODE

OF GROWTH:

1- HERBS: - These are small plants with a soft stem; they may vary in size from few
m.m to a meter in height. E.g. radish, ginger, cauliflower etc.
2-SHRUBS: - These are medium size plants with a hard and woody stem often much
branches. Shrubs have more than one stem E.g. China rose, motia, rose croton.
3- TREES: - These are tall plant with a clear hard and woody stem. Trees are frequently
taller than shrubs. E.g. mango, chiko, jack fruit etc.
4- VINE : - A non-woody plant whose stem requires support for up right growth .
Exp: cucumber, bottle gourd.
5-LIANA: Woody plant whose stem require support for up right growth.
Exp: grape, Ixora

(2) CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE LIFE CYCLE DURATION:

1- ANNUALS: Those plants which complete their life cycle during a single growing
season then die off. E.g spinach, lettuce, petunia
2- BIENNIALS: Those plants which complete their life cycle or requires two years to
complete their life cycle are called Biennials. During the first growing season their
growth is entirely vegetative and stored the manufactured food. The following year they
produce seed and then die off.
Example: - carrot, beet, cauliflower, cabbage etc.
3- PERENIALS: The perennial plants grow year after year taking many years to mature
producing flowers and seeds, but they will not die off after seed. They grow vegetatively
for several years and then reproduction starts. They are called perennials.
Example: - All fruit plants, some flower plants Chambeli and shade trees, Rose, Mango.
Chiko. Banana.

(3) CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE OF CULTIVATION:

In accordance with purpose of cultivation, the various horticultural plants may be

grouped into those which are edible (purpose) those which are of ornamental value and
those which serve as a source of drugs or spices.
A horticulturist divides the edible garden plants into fruits and vegetables commonly
vegetable are defined as: “plant of which some portion is eaten.”
Example:
1- Leaves are eaten e.g.: spinach. Lettuce etc.

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2- Stem is eaten e.g. Asparagus etc.
3- Flower is eaten e.g. cauliflower.
4- Root is eaten e.g. carrot, beet etc.
5- Fruit is eaten e.g. Brinjal or eggplant, Okra, Tomato etc.
6- Seed is eaten e.g., peas, coupe etc.

Fruit on the other hand, are the plants, from which more or less succulent fruits or closely
related structure is commonly used for eating, fruit plants are most often perennial and
being usually woody. Fruit plant growing in temperate zones is termed, as deciduous
plants. Example: - Apple, pear, peach, grapes, apricot etc and those growing in tropical
and subtropical region are usually evergreen.
Example: - mango, date palm, papaya, guava, banana, coconut etc.

(4) CLASSIFICATION BASED UPON TEMERATURE TOLERANCE:

A- TENDER PLANTS: Those plants which do not tolerate low temperature. They have
low resistance power. Tender crops cannot tolerate 0 0C beans corns squashes melons
cucumbers and tomato fall in this category. These crops need a frost-free growing season.

B- HARDY PLANTS: Those plants which can tolerate frost or low temperature. They
have the resistance power to low temperature Hardy plants can survive a minimum
temperature of -4 to -2 0C peas, spinach, turnip and cabbage are hardy plants
.
C- HALF-HARDY PLANTS: Half hardy plants can survive a minimum temperature of
-1 to 0C some half-hardy plants are carrot, beet, and lettuce.

(5) CLASSIFICATION BASED UPON SEASONAL REQUIREMENT.

A- SUMMER: Summer crops are cultivated in summer months as well as in spring

season from Feb-Sep; vegetables high temperature for their growth, fruit formation, e.g.
Bitter gourd, muskmelon, okra and cluster bean.

B- WINTER: Winter vegetables are cultivated in winter season as well as in Autumn.

E.g. carrot, cabbage spinach, onion.

(6) CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS ACCORDING TO REGION WISE:

A- TEMPERATE FRUITS: Temperate fruits are grown at higher altitudes in colder

regions where temperature goes below 0 oC. They shed their leaves in winter. Most of
temperate fruits are grown in hilly areas
e.g. Apple, Pear, Peaches, Almond, Apricot, Cherries etc.

B- SUB-TROPICAL FRUITS: These fruits are grown in those areas where temperature
remains mild usually from 18-35 oC. Most of the seaside and its surrounding areas come
under sub-tropical conditions; they can tolerate frost at some extent.

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E.g. Citrus, Banana, Guava, Coconut, Grapes.
C- TROPICAL FRUITS: These fruits are grown in those areas where temperature
becomes very high during summer. Most of the upper sindh areas produce tropical fruits.
Temperature ranges from 40-50 oC. They cannot tolerate frost, their growth ceases when
temperature goes below 20 0C E.g.: Date palm, Mango.

Lecture: 05
BASIC TERMINOLOGY USED IN HORTICULTURE

(1) SUCCULENT:
The term succulent is used for foliage plants with extremely tender (soft and
watery stem and leaves).
.
(2) MONOECIOUS PLANTS:
(Mono = single + oikes = home)
Those plants in which male and female reproductive parts are in separate flowers
but present on the same plant.
Exp: watermelon, Banana, Mango.

(3) DIOECIOUS PLANTS:

(Gk, DI = two + okays = houses)
Those plants in which male and female parts are present in separate flowers on
different plants
Exp: Papaya, Date palm.

(4) CHILLING REQUIREMENT:

The number of hours of cold after which bud dormancy with break.

(5) FROST:
Thin layer of ice crystals deposited on the soil and plant surface as a result of
low or freezing temperature.

(6) TAXONOMY:
The science dealing with identification, naming and classification of organisms.

(7) BINOMIAL NOMENOLATURE:

The assignment of names to plant using two latin words, the first denoting the
genus and second denoting the specie.

(8) BOTANICAL NAME:

A scientific name assigned to a plant. It is the combination of two words, the
first denoting the genus and second denoting the specie. The first word of genus should
be write in capital letter, and first word of specie should write in small letter. It is written
in italic type

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(9) ANGIOSPERMS:
Angion = case or fruit + sperma = seed
These are flowering plants which produces seed within fruits. Their leaves are
broad. They are the primary source of food fiber and shelter. There are about 250,000
Species. Angiosperms are divided into monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

(10) GYMNOSPERMS
Gymno = Naked + Sperma = seed.
Gymnosperms are small group of plants which produces seed but no fruit.
These types of plants are found in colder regions or on mountain tops. They have needle
shaped leaves. Their wood is used in making furniture and building houses. There are
about 700 living species of gymnosperms.
Exp:- Cycas (sago palm), Cedarus (Deodar), pinus, Taxus etc.

(11) MONOCOTYLEDONS:
Mono = Single + cotyledon = Seed leaf.
These plants produce one seed leaf at the time of germination.
OR
All the flowering plants having embryo with one cotyledon. There are 50,000 plant
species of monocotyledons.
Exp:- Date palm, Coconut.

(12) DICOTYLEDONS:
Di = two + Cotyledon = Seed leaf
These plants produce two seed leaves at the time of germination
OR
All the flowering plants having embryo with two cotyledons. There are
200,000 plant species of dicotyledons.
Exp:- Mango, guava.

(13) SPECIE:
Closely related group of plants or A group of individuals which resemble
structurally with one another and reproduce sexually or asexually among themselves.

(14) GENUS:
A group of closely related species or collection of the species bearing a close
resemblance to each other in their morphological, floral and reproductive parts.

(15) FAMILY:
A group of closely related genera is called family.

(16) DECIDUOUS TREES:

Those trees which shed their leaves in winter are called deciduous trees.
Deciduous trees are native to temperate regions.
Exp: Apple, pear, peach, Apricot

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(17) EVER GREEN TREES:
Those trees with persistent leaves round the year are called evergreen trees. They
are associated with tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Exp: mango, citrus, guava

Lecture: 06
PARTS OF THE PLANT AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

1- ROOT
Root is the underground part of the plant
FUNCTIONS
(i) To hold the plant firmly in the soil.
(ii) To absorb nutrients and water from the soil in soluble form.
(iii) To Support the plant
(iv) To help climbers to climb
(v) In certain cases to store food.
(vi) To support the plant in anchoring.

2- STEM
Stem is the part of the plant coming up from the root.
FUNCTIONS
(i) To hold the branches.
(ii) To produce leaves and spread them towards the sun, and also to produce flowers,
fruits and seeds.
(iii) To carry soluble nutrients from the roots to the leaves and then to transport the
manufactured food back to the roots and to other parts of the plant.
(iv) In certain cases to store food for use in time of need.
(v) To propagate plants vegetatively in case of those plants which do not produce seeds.

3-LEAF
Leaf is the main photosynthetic organ of most green plants. Leaf is the food
factory of the plant, producing all food that is used by the plant and store food for later
use.
FUNCTIONS
(i) RESPIRATION AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS:
The plants take in carbon dioxide from air and gives out oxygen in the presence
of sun light.
(ii) TRANSPIRATION:
The root absorbs moisture from the ground which contains soluble salts. This is
transported to the leaves through the stem. Some of this moisture is used in the presence
of sun light to manufacture chlorophyll and the rest evaporates in the air. This process is
known as transpiration. It creates suction in the plant, causing the soluble nutrients to be
drawn upwards, so that it can be converted into the plant food. It also allows evaporation
of the excess water so that concentrated salts are left to perform their function of growth.
(iii) Leaf is also used for propagation of plants.
(iv) Leaf has also medicinal value.

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4- FLOWER:
Flower is reproductive part of the plant.
FUNCTION:
(i) It is the organ of reproduction in plants.
(ii) Flower consists of four parts (a) Calyx (b) Corolla (c) Androecium &(d) Gynoecium.
(A) CALYX:
It is the outer most of the form groups of the flower parts. The main function of
the calyx is to protect the flower when it is in bad. All the sepals together to form the
calyx, sepal is the individual part of calyx.
(B) COROLLA:
It is the second whorl or part of the flower. It is usually the most attractive and
colorful part of the flower and serves to attract the insect for pollination. All the petals
together to form the corolla. Petal is the individual part of the corolla.
(C) ANDROECIUM:
Androecium is the male part of the plant and is made up of small stamens.
(D) GYNAECIUM.
This is the female part of the plant and also consists of three parts. Stigma, Style and
ovary.
(E) POLLINATION:
Pollination occurs in the flower. Transfer of pollen grains from another to stigma
is called Pollination.