Fundamentals of Horticulture - Topic -2 Horticultural and Botanical Classification

Fundamentals of Horticulture - Topic -2 Horticultural and Botanical Classification

 Classification of Horticultural 

From time to time, horticultural crops have been classified into various groups depending on their growth habits, cultivation requirements, climatic needs and uses. Horticultural crops are popularly classified into the 3 broad divisions of fruits vegetables and flowers.

However, following points are considered to be most important basis for classification of the crops.

1. Classification Based on Growth Habit and Physiological Character.

2. Classification Based on Life Span of Plants.

3. Classification Based on Climatic Requirements.

4. Classification Based on Seasonal Basis.

5. Classification Based on Use of Horticultural Plants.

1. Classification of Horticultural Crops Based on Growth Habit and Physiological

Character - 

Growth habit and physiological character e.g. herbs, shrubs, climbers and creepers

Examples:

Herbs: Ageratum, Lawn Grasses.

Shrubs: Nerium, Hibiscus,

Trees: Mango, Tamarind, Rain tree

Climbers: Bougainvillea

Creepers: Bignonia, gracillis.

2. Classification of Horticultural Crop Based on Life Span of Plants -

I. Annuals:

From the name it is clear that the plants live for one season or less. Annual plant is one which completed its life cycle from germination to seed formation within one season and then dies usually as a result of complete exhaustion of its food reserve in the process of reproduction. Mostly they complete their life history in 3 to 6 months. They comprise of several of most beautiful and easily grown plants, widely varying in from habit of growth and colour. Annuals are very effective, grown neither in pots or in ground. Particular annuals thrive best in particular period of the year. The annuals are conveniently grouped according to season as follows.

1. Rainy Season Annuals:

They can stand more in rain than others and therefore grown to flower during rainy season. The time of sowing then would be from April to May in most places e.g. Mary gold, Aster, Salvia, Zinnia etc.

2. Winter or Cold Season Annuals:

The thrive and bloom best during winter. These are sown in September, October e.g. phlox, Antirrithium.

3. Hot weather or Summer season Annuals:

They are sown in January - February and blooming period is April, May e.g. Sunflower, Gailardia, and Zinnia.

II. Biennials:

These plants usually requires two years or at least two growing seasons with more or less of a dormaint season or lasting season between two completed life cycle. 

Seed sown in spring or summer, and vegetative growth is completed in first year and in the following spring, flowering and fruiting takes place. Generally the period of growth is 6 to 9 months e.g. Gladioli, Dahlia. No hard and fast line can be drawn between annuals and biennials crops like turnip, carrot, cabbage and onion are classified as biennials.

III. Perennials:

Any plant that lives more than two years is a perennial e.g. Mango, Citrus. These crops are classified in to two groups.

i) Herbaceous -

Herbaceous perennials are those with more or less soft succulent stems. In Temperate climates the tips die off after seasons growth but root remains alive and produce new stem and tops on favorable conditions. In other words their tips are annual while ground parts are perennials lie many years and are classified as: Trees,  Shrubs And Vines according to their habit of growth.

A. Trees -

Trees are upright in habit and stems take the form of central axis e.g. Mango, Sapota, guava, Mandarins etc.

B. Shrubs -

Shrubs have no main trunk but a number of erect or semi erect stems are seen but do not forms the main frame work e.g. Hibiscus, Rose, and Lantana Acalyphya etc.

C. Vine -

Both woody and herbaceous have stems which are flexible and not in position to keep their branches and leaves erect. They either spread on the ground or require some support whether alive or man made e.g. cucurbit vines, Grape vines, Passion fruit etc.

3. Classification of Horticultural Crops Based on Climatic Requirements (Particularly

Temperature)

Based on temperature requirements and response to different climatic conditions, horticultural crops have been

classified in to three main groups and these are :

 i) Temperate -

Temperate plants are commonly found in cold regions enjoying a mild and temperate climate. These plants endure cold and go to rest or dormancy by shedding of all their leaves during winter e.g. Apple, Plums cherry and almond etc.

ii) Tropical - 

Tropical plants are those which do not tolerate severe cold but can tolerate warm temperatures of about 1000F.

Those plants need strong sunshine, warms, humidity and a very mild winter. They cannot stand far against frost e.g. Papaya, Banana and Pineapple.

iii) Sub - Tropical - 

Sub - tropical plants like Orange, Litchi, Fig, Mango and cashewnunt are intermediate in character. They need warmth and humidity and can tolerate mild winters.

The above classification, based on climatic preference of plants, is more or less arbitrary and no sharp line can be drawn between these several groups. It however, indicates the broad difference in climatic needs of various plants. This does not necessarily mean that a plant belonging to one zone does not grow in other zones. For instances, annual crops of the temperate region like potato, knolknol and cabbage grow in tropical and sub - tropical regions also, but they come up well only in the winter season than other climatic zones. 

 ** Classification of Horticultural Crops Based on Season

Horticultural crops are also classified according to the season in which they grow best. In our country we have three main season.

i) The Summer season, which starts from March and lasts upto May.

ii) The rainy season from June to October and

iii) The winter season from November to February.

Rainy season crops are known as "Kharif" crops. These crops come up best when sown with the onset of monsoon in May, June. Vegetables like Snake gourd, Lady's finger, Chilies and Beans comes under the category.

Lupines are known as "Rabi crops". They are generally sown October, November.

Only a few annual crops thrive in the warm summer months between March and June in the plains. Leafy vegetables, cluster beans, Brinjal, Cucumber, and Gourds are the common summer vegetables. The popular summer season Sunflowers, Cooks comb, Rose, Zinnia etc. There are some vegetables like tomato, brinjal, beans and flowers like which grow all the year count, but they come up best when there is optimum season.

The yield of a crop is also dependent upon the time of sowing. Crops which are sown under rain fed conditions are entirely dependent on rain fed conditions for their survival and growth and therefore, have to be sown just at the right time. Any delay in sowing causes great harm to rain fed crops. Even crops like sunhemp yield their best when sown in a particular optimum season and give even half the normal yield if sown in the strong season

Relation between Horticulture and Other Sciences 

It is an applied Science. It is more closely related to Botany for breeding, Cytology. Genetics and Plant Physiology. Taxonomy is that art of Botany, which deals with the classification of plants into different families, genera and species. The knowledge is useful for budding, grafting and breeding purposes. Chemistry is important from the nutrient point of view. Pathology and Entomology are also useful Sciences for the control of pest and disease problems. What is more important in the Agriculture particularly Horticulture that the extension activities, to popularize the highlight of research work, plant nurseries and utilization of recent knowledge.

Classification of Horticultural Crops based on Use of Horticultural Plants

Use of Horticultural Plants:

A. Edible Plant -   

i ) Vegetable:

a) Vegetables Grown for Aerial Portion:

1. Cole Crops: Cabbage, cauliflower

2. Legume Crops: Peas and Beans

3. Solanaceous Crops: Tomato Brinjal

4. Cucurbits: Cucumber, Red Pumpkin

5. Leafy Vegetables: Spinach, Methi

6. Salad Vegetables: Lettuce, Brocoli

7. Corn Vegetables: Sweet corn and Popcorn

b) Vegetable Grown for Underground Portion:

1. Root Crops: Beet. Carrot

2. Tuber Crops: Yam, potato.

3. Bulb Crops: Onion and Garlic

ii) Fruits

a) Temperate (Deciduous fruits):

1. Small Fruits: Grape, Strawberry

2. Tree Fruits: Apple, pear, Cherry

3. Nuts: Peach, Walnut

b) Tropical and Sub Tropical:

1. Herbaceous Perennials: Pineapple, Banana

2. Tree Fruits: Mango, Papaya

3. Nuts: Cashewnunt, Aracanut

B. Ornamental Plants

1. Flowering Trees: Gulmohar, Neelmobor, Cassua

2. Road Side Trees: Neem, Baniyan tree, Rain tree

3. Shade Giving Trees: Rain tree, Mahogany

4. Flowering Shrubs: Nerium, Hibiscus, Tagar

5. Foliage Shrubs: Thuja, Casurina

6. Climbers and Creepers: Petrea, Bignonia, Ipomea

7. Bulbous Plants: Canna, Caladium, Tuberose

8. Hedge and Edges: Duranta, Clearadendron, Ageratum

9. Annuals: Pitunia, Ainnia.

10. Perennials: Chrysanthemum, Roses.

**Deciduous Tree:

Fig., Guava, Apple, Karvanda Ber, Sweet cherry, Pomogranate Grape, Mulberry, Phalsa , Almond

** Evergreen trees -

Aracanut, Dates, Coconut, Pineapple, Banana, Jackfruit, Avocads, Sweet orange, Mandarin orange, K. lime, Mango, Chicku, Papaya,Passion fruit, Cashewnunt

Classification of Horticultural Crops

1. Botanical Classification:

i) Annonaceous Plants: Custard apple, Bullock heart

ii) Citrus Plants: Sweet orange, Mandarin orange, Lime and Lemons.

iii) Cucurbitaceous Plants: Bitter gourd, Sponge gourd, ridge gourd, Snake gourd,

Little gourd.

2. Ecological Classification:

i) Aquatic Plants: Lotus, Lily.

ii) Desert Plants : Dates.  

 

SUTHAR AGRIPOINT

Fundamantels of Horticulture - Topic -1 Horticulture - Its definition and branches, importance and scope

Fundamantels of Horticulture - Topic -1 Horticulture - Its definition and branches, importance and scope

Horticulture 

Its definition and branches, importance and scope 

 

The word Horticulture in derived from the Latin word Hortus meaning enclosure (garden) and culture - meaning, cultivation,.

 Thus Horticulture mans culture or cultivation of garden crops.

Definition of Horticulture:

Horticulture may be broadly defined as the Science and art of growing fruits, vegetables and flowers and crops

like spices condiments and other plantation crops.

It is a science of cultivation of Garden plants.

The word Horticulture in derived from the Latin word Hortus meaning enclosure (garden) and culture -meaning, cultivation. 

Thus Horticulture mans culture or cultivation of garden crops. 

Branches of Horticulture:

Horticultural Science is the most distinct branch of Agricultural Sciences and call be divided into

four differentbranches as follow.

A) Main Branches:

1. Pamology It deals with cultivation of fruit crops.

2. Olericulture It deals with cultivation of vegetable crops

3. Floriculture It deals with cultivation of ornamental flowers and land scaping.

4. Fruit and vegetable preservation:It deals with the principles of fruit and vegetable

preservation.

B) Sub Branches

1. Plantation crops : cultivation of coconut, arecanut, rubber, coffee, tea, etc.

2. Spices crops : cultivation of cardamom, pepper, nutmeg etc.

3. Medicinal and aromatic crops: cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops.

4. Post harvest technology: deals with post harvest handling, grading, packaging, storage processing, value addition, marketing etc, of horticulture crops.

5. Plant propagation : deals with propagation of plants. 

Importance of Horticulture

Horticulture is important for the following considerations:

1. As a source of variability in produce.

2. As a source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, flavour, aroma, alkaloids, oleoresins, fibre,

3. As a source of medicine.

4. As an economic proposition as they give higher returns per unit area in terms of energy, money, job, etc.

5. Employment generation 860 man days/annum for fruit crops as against 143 man days/annum for cereal crops and the crops like grapes, banana and pineapple need 1000- 2500 man days per annum.

6. Effective utilization of waste land through cultivation of hardy fruits and medicinal plants.

7. As a substitute of family income being component of home garden.

8. As a foreign exchange earner, has higher share compare to agriculture crops.

9. As an input for industry being amenable to processing, especially fruit and vegetable preservation industry.

10. Aesthetic consideration and protection of environment.

11. Religious significance.

• In short and sweet horticulture supplies quality food for health and mind, more calories per unit area, develops better resources and yields higher returns per unit area.

• It also enhances land value and creates better purchasing power for those who are engaged in this industry. Therefore, horticulture is important for health, wealth, hygiene and happiness.

Scope of Horticulture

There is a great scope of Horticulture. Horticulture production is less as compared and hence very high demand in market.

1. Increasing Investigation Facilities:

The agricultural sectors getting priority in the new five year plan outlay. There is definitely positive factor in keeping hope for bringing area under irrigation, Many irrigation projects, major and minor are in progress and many would be undertaken in near future. Number of percolation tanks is being constructed and new schemes.

2. Area Under Rain Fed:

Horticultural crops are not required the perennial irrigation.

3. Transport and Marketing Facilities:

It is obvious that horticultural produce is perishable and mostly consumed as fresh and need quick disposal after harvest.

4. Cold Storage Facilities and Preservation:

During peak period of a particular crop there is glut in market and prices realized are very low. This can be overcome by storing the fruits in cold storage. Many preserved products have export potential e.g. Jam, Jelly, Juices syrups etc.

5. New Techniques for Maximization of Production:

This helps in increasing the yield.

i) Use of Growth regulator and gurdling increasing yield by 50% in grapes.

ii) Use of growth regulators.

6. Availability of Cheap Labour:

In India because of large population man power is easily available and as compared to other countries the labour is cheap which definitely help in keeping down the production cost.

7 . Loan Facilities:

Many Commercial Banks and Government provide loans at low interest for the promotion of Horticultural Industry.

8. Sloppy, undulated land can be brought under cultivation by growing rain fed horticultural crops.

9. The average production of the Horticultural crops is more than the agronomic crops and therefore, the net returns are also more.

Nutritive Value of Fruits and Vegetables 

As said earlier fruits and vegetables is the important energy giving material to the human body. Importance of the fruits and vegetables in the human diet is universally recognized. They are the major sources of vitamins without which the human body cannot maintain proper health and resistance to diseases. Besides they also contain minerals, salts, protein, cellulose which protects human body against various disorders, Extent of the Vitamins in various fruits / vegetables and how they are important can be judged by the following information.

A. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid):

It is responsible for sever pains in the joints, blooding of gums, tooth decay and the humanisms, Ascorbic acid, loss in energy, delay in wound healing, increased susceptibility to disease enlargement of heart and damage to heart muscles.

Anona 600, Guava 299, Citrus 63 - 68 mg/100 gms is the richer source of Vitamin C in case of fruits.

Vegetables like Methi, Palak, Lettuce, Cabbage, Green pepper, Chillies contain appreciable quantity of Vitamin C. Potato and Sweet potato also supplies ascorbic acid.

B. Vitamin B -1 (Thiamine):

Deficiency of this causes Beriberi, loss of sensitivity of skin, paralysis, loss of appetite, loss of weights, and fall in body temperature fruits like Banana (150 mg / 100 g), Apple (120 mg/100 gms) and Cashew nut (630 mg/100 gm), Almond (240 mg/100 gms) are the good source of this Vitamin B - 1.

Apart from this Methi, Cabbage, Onion, Green vegetables, Lettuce, green chillies, carrot, peas and beans (in seeds) are also rich in Vitamin B.

C. Vitamin B -2 (Riboflavin):

This vitamin is important for growth and health of skin, its deficiency causes loss of appetite, loss in weight, sore throat, swollen nose etc. Papaya (200 mg/ 100 gms), Bael (191 mg/100 gms), Pomegranate (100 mg/100 gms), pineapple (120 mg/100 gms) More or less vegetables listed above are the major suppliers of this Vitamin.

D. Vitamin - A (Carotene):

Absence of this Vitamin in diet results cessation of growth in young ones, night blindness, drying up tear

glands of eyes, eruption of skin, brittleness of teeth and susceptibility to disease.

Mango (4800 i.e., per 100 gm), Papaya (2020 i.e. per 100 gms), Jack fruit (540 per 100 gms) are the richer source of this vitamin. In vegetables carrot, peas, turnip, beats, tomato, Sweet potato green vegetables, cabbage are observed to be very good supplier of this Vitamin.

Though the Vitamins are quite important in maintenance of the human body, the role of minerals cannot be ignored also. Minerals like Calcium, Phosphorus, and Iron are required for living body.

Calcium: 

Calcium is badly lacking in Indian diets. It is needed for healthy bones and for resistance to infections. In its absence children suffer from rickets, pigeon chest, ignitability and retarded growth. Their teeth become bad. It also acts as an coordinator among the mineral elements and helps to correct proportion of other elements. Fruits viz. Litchi, wood apple, dried grapes, oranges, straw berry, are the source of Calcium. However, vegetables like cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, lettuce, onion, spinach, tomato also supply Calcium in minor quantities.

Phosphorus:

Regarding Phosphorus, which is essential for all active tissues of the body. It is actually required for cell

multiplication of both bones and soft tissues the for the maintenance of proper liquid content of the tissues. It also plays an important role in oxidation of carbohydrates which liberates energy. Phosphorus in enough quantities in vegetables like potatoes, carrot, tomatoes, cucumber, pinch, cauliflower, lettuce than most of the fruits. However, almonds, cashewnunt and litchi are the more suppliers of the Phosphorus.

Iron:

Vegetables are richer in iron than fruits and found in green leaves. Iron is essential part of the red blood

carpusles and is the best known oxygen carrier in the body. It is essential element in the body and can be had from Spinach, truce, Cabbage, Peas, Bean and Tomatoes. In fruit crops karonda, Dates, cashewnunt, Raising etc. are the major suppliers of this element.

Till Area under Fruit Cultivation is not increasing at Faster Rate Why?

The question arises as to why the development of fruit industry is slow in our country of vegetarishism in spite of above advantages over agronomical crops. The answer lies in the facts that,

1. Fruit growing is a long term venture requiring a high initial investment and high recurring expenditure.

2. Most of the fruit trees are woody perennials with deep roots, which take several years to bear fruits.

3. They require intensive cultivation including specialized methods of propagation.

4. Lack of technical knowledge such as pruning training etc.

5. Poor transport and irrigation facilities.

6. Availability of guinine, planting material.

7. The low purchasing power of the consumers.

8. Lack of cold storage facilities, packing as the fruits and vegetables are perishable in nature.

9. Defective marketing system. Lack of co-operative marketing societies, Middlemen are getting more profit than the growers. 

SUTHAR AGRIPOINT