1. Definition, importance and scope of horticulture; Divisions of horticulture – Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Plantation crops, Spices and Condiments, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Landscape gardening; Area and production of horticultural crops in India and world.
2. Growth and development of horticultural crops; Factors affecting growth and development – internal and external; Role of climatic factors and cultural operations; Plant growth regulators and their uses in horticultural crops
3. Propagation methods – sexual and asexual; Nursery management practices – site selection, layout, media preparation, seed sowing, transplanting, watering, shading, and maintenance of mother plants; Use of rootstocks and budding/grafting techniques.
4. Cultivation practices for fruits, vegetables, and flowers; Soil and climatic requirements, layout and planting systems, training and pruning, irrigation and nutrient management, harvesting and yield. Post-harvest handling – grading, packing, storage, and marketing of horticultural produce.
- Teacher: Vibhu Pandey