Introduction to Horticulture

1
Introduction to Horticulture

• Horticulture - from the Latin hortus (garden) and
  cultura (cultivation)
• The science and art of cultivating fruits,
  vegetables and ornamental plants
• An ancient activity of humans
• Chrysanthemums have been cultivated by Chinese
  for thousands of years
• Ancient Egyptian gardens for fruit production
• Hanging gardens of Babylon

2
Horticulturehistorical importance

• Discovery, cultivation and trade of horticultural
  products have been involved in many facets of our
  history
• Among the reasons for exploration in the Middle
  Ages were
• Finding sources of high value crops such as
  spices
• Developing trade routes for rapid transportation
  of these commodities

3
Horticulture historical importance

• One factor behind the colonization of many
  regions by European countries was the desire to
  establish access to horticultural products
• Beverage crops (tea, coffee, cocoa)
• Herbs and spices

4
Economic importanceof horticulture

• Non-citrus fruit - 8.2 bn per year
• Citrus fruit - 2.6 bn per year
• Vegetables - 7.6 bn per year
• Bedding plants - 1.8 bn per year
• Perennial plants - 0.6 bn per year
• Nursery plants - 3.1 bn per year
• These values do not include the service sector of
  the horticulture industry

5
International trade in horticultural produce

• US exports large amounts of horticultural
  products
• Approximately 6 billion in 1993
• Processed fruits, juices and vegetables (5)
• Fresh fruits (7)
• US imports fruits, vegetables, flowers
• Primarily from central and south America
• Commerce in horticulture is an important sector
  of international trade

6
Horticulturean applied plant science

• The application of scientific knowledge to
  develop and use plants to benefit the human
  population
• Examples of applied plant sciences include
• Horticulture
• Agronomy
• Forestry

7
Horticulturean applied plant science

• Horticulture tends to be more intensive in terms
  of investment costs and production practices than
  agronomy or forestry
• Individual plants in horticulture have much more
  value than agronomic plants (e.g. corn and
  soybeans)

8
Two branches of horticulture

• Food production
• Fruits
• Vegetables

9
Horticultural products are an important component
of our diet

• USDA food pyramid stresses the importance of
  fruits and vegetables
• Other studies highlight the health benefits of
  these products

10
Food production

• Some current topics in horticulture research and
  development include
• Developing methods to produce high quality fruits
  and vegetables at a reasonable cost
• Extending the season when these products are
  available
• Improving the nutritional and health-promoting
  properties of these products

11
Two branches of horticulture

• Plants for aesthetic value
• Ornamental horticulture
• Landscape design and construction

12
Ornamental horticulture

• Increased use of plants in the landscape
• Residential
• Commercial
• Recreational
• Landscape design, installation and maintenance
  are all expanding industries
• Landscape industry requires nursery materials
  (trees, shrubs, bedding plants, etc.) and other
  supplies

13
Job opportunities in horticulture

• A variety of careers are possible in the field of
  horticulture
• Production
• fruits, vegetables, ornamentals
• Marketing
• Design
• Contracting and maintenance
• Research and development

14
Horticulture research of the future?

• Modification of horticulture crops to deliver
  edible vaccines