Horticulture Career Scope, Eligibility and Job Prospects

Duration:4 years, Eligibility: 10+2. You must write ICAR’s entrance exam. Private institutions have their own norms as well, Job Profiles: Horticulture officer, Horticulturists, Landscape Expert, Facilities Expert

Despite being the second largest producer of fruits in the world, India wastes nearly half of what it produces every year. The lack of trained professionals is one of the prime reasons, alongside the absence of infrastructure facilities

Course overview: You will study all kinds of plants, from medicinal and fruit-yielding trees to plants that bear flowers. Also, weather and soil conditions, plant diseases and specific treatments, and economic viability of each plant

Job opportunities: The largest employer is still the government, which recruits Horticultural officers for its various departments. Large food retailers such as Wal-Mart, Spencers, Reliance, all need horticulturists to manage, advice and regulate their large battery of suppliers. Starting out your own akin to Ferns and Petals, which retails cut flowers, is also an option. The field extends beyond fruit production, to landscaping, medicinal plants, vineyards, plantations, and orchards

Scope of Horticulture

India with diverse soil and climate comprising several agro-ecological regions provides ample opportunity to grow a variety of horticulture crops. These crops form a significant part of total agricultural produce in the country comprising of fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, flowers, ornamental plants, medicinal and aromatic plants, spices, condiments, plantation crops and mushrooms. 

It is estimated that all the horticulture crops put together cover nearly 11-6 million hectares area with an annual production of 91 million tonnes. Though these crops occupy hardly 7% of the cropped area they contribute over 18% to the gross agricultural output in the country.

India with more than 28.2 million tonnes of fruits and 66 million tonnes of vegetables is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world next only to Brazil and China. However, per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables in India is only around 46kg and 130g against a minimum of about 92g and 300g respectively recommended by Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. With the present level of population, the annual requirement of fruits and vegetables will be of the order of 32.58million tonnes and 83million tonnes respectively. To meet this requirement the National Commission on Agriculture has projected an area of 4m.ha. and 8m.ha. under fruits and vegetable crops respectively by 2000A.D.

Influence of environmental factors on horticultural crop production

Temperature: It is an important determinant of plant growth. High as well as low 

temperatures influence the growth of plants. Broad leaved, ever green plants are very 

much susceptible to low temperature. Fall of temperature below 5*C put a strain on 

the survival of such plants. Deciduous plants by their adoptive mechanism to shed 

foliage are better able to tolerate low temperature. Such plants pass their lives in 

dormant stage during winter. Generally, a temperature range of 20  - 30*C is 

considered ideal for majority of tropical and subtropical plants. Temperate plants 

require chilling winter. In majority of temperate fruit plants, flowering commencessubject to fulfillment of chilling temperature ranging from 2*C to 7*C.High temperature 

above 40*C causes scorching in plants. The leaves show burning symptom along tip 

and margin. High temperature causes bolting and seed formation in spinach and 

lettuce. Development of red colour in oranges is governed by low temperature. More 

severe winter favours discontinued synthesis of chlorophyll and unmasking of 

carotenoids which imparts red colour to oranges. The optimum temperature for most 

of the plants varies in the range of 22*C to 27*C. High fluctuation in day and night 

temperature badly influences the growth and production of plants.

Hailstorms: These causes great damage to the fruit crops. Occurrence of hail at the 

time of flowering and fruit maturity is very disastrous because flower and fruit drop is 

heavy and the growers get poor returns for their produce. For successful cultivation of 

fruit crops, only those areas where hailstorms don‘t occur should be selected.

Solar radiation: It is the primary source of energy to plants. For the transformation of 

light energy to chemical energy leading the production of photosynthates, solar 

radiation is must. Orchard, located on southern side of the slope receiving better 

amount of radiation, bears better yield than other side. The periphery and top most 

portions of plants are more productive due to better and direct absorption of solar 

radiation. Training and pruning of plants are maneuvered in a way; so that the plant 

may be better able to absorb more solar radiation required for good productivity.

Horticultural zones of India

India has diversified climates right from temperate to tropical climates. So, India has 

been divided into 3 horticultural zones. They are:

 TROPICAL ZONE

 SUB-TROPICAL ZONE

 TEMPERATE ZONE

TROPICAL ZONE: Entire South India below the Vindhya hills comes under this zone. 

This zone is again sub-divided in to 3 sub-zones. They are:

 Central tropical zone

 Southern tropical zone

 Coastal tropical humid zone

Central tropical zone:  States of Maharastra, Orissa, Southern part of Madhya 

Pradesh (Chattishgarh) and Telengana area of  Andhra Pradesh comes under this 

zone.

Fruit crops recommended: Mango, Cashew, Citrus, (Sweet Orange, Mandarin orange, and limes), 

Grape, Guava, Sapota, Banana, Sithapahal, Fig, Ber, Pomegranate, Jamun, and Jackfruit.

Southern tropical zone:  Andhra Pradesh excluding Telengana, Tamilnadu, Kerala 

and Karnataka states comes under this zone.

Fruit crops recommended: Mango, Coconut, Banana, Cashew, Sapota, Pineapple, Mangosteen, 

Breadfruit, Jackfruit, Sitaphal, Areca nut, Rubber, Pepper, Turmeric, Clove, Nutmeg, Cocoa, Coffee, 

Citrus (Sweet Orange, Mandarin orange, and limes).

Coastal tropical humid zone: Areas covering all along the coast of different states of 

peninsular India up to about 160 km inside to the sea shore line. The climate will be 

always humid and warm. Temperature will not be mild in winter when compared to 

southern tropical zone.

Fruit crops recommended: Coconut, Banana, Cashew, Jackfruit, Mango, and Pineapple.

SUB-TROPICAL ZONE:  The area above the Vindhya hills comes under this zone. 

Occasionally frost occurs in this zone. This zone is sub-divided into TWO sub-zones 

basing on the direction. They are:

North-Western Subtropical zone: States like Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, 

Parts of Bihar, U.P, M.P and west Bengal comes under this zone.

Fruit crops recommended:  Litchi, citrus (sweet orange, mandarin oranges), dates, guava, sapota, 

Papaya, phalsa, fig are some typical subtropical fruits grown but other tropical fruits  like  Mango, jack, 

banana can also be grown etc.

North-eastern sub-tropical zone:  Areas like parts of UP, Bihar, West Bengal, 

Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh,   and Tripura.

Fruit crops recommended:  Litchi, Citrus (Sweet Orange, Mandarin oranges), Dates, Guava, Sapota, 

Papaya, Phalsa, Fig, Mango etc.

TEMPERATE ZONE:  Areas comes in this zone are Jammu and 

Kashmir,Kulu,Katrain,Kangra valleys of Punjab, parts of Himachal Pradesh and 

kuman hills and also high altitude regions in South India-Nilagiris and Palani hills of 

TamilNadu.This zone frequently experiences frosts.

This zone is further sub-divided in to two sub zones based on elevation. They are:

1. Higher elevation and 2. Lower elevation

Higher elevation: Elevation ranges from 1500—2500 m MSL.

Fruit crops recommended: Apple, Pears, Walnut, Almond, Cherry and Strawberry etc.

Lower elevation: Elevation ranges from 1200—1500 m MSL.

Fruit crops recommended: Peaches, Persimmons, Japanese plum etc.

Although Peach is a temperate fruit crop, a no. of varieties like Sharbati, Honey stone,

Sunred  and Safeda can be successfully grown in the northern plains of subtropical 

zone. Similarly Rome beauty an apple variety is grown around Bangalore.

Elevation is not only the factor which decides the prospects of fruit cultivation in 

temperate zone. Other factors like hail storms, rainfall etc which should also be 

considered for selection of site for fruit cultivation in temperate zone. Eg. Simla and 

Solan at 2100 and 1400 m of elevation from sea level respectively. But they are not 

suitable for growing fruits because of hail storms. But Kulu valley and Kotagarh 

regions in Punjab are free from hailstorms and are suitable for growing temperate 

fruits.

Importance of horticulture in the national economy

1.  Horticultural produces contribute to national wealth. They are the important 

exportable commodities in many countries. In India also through export of horticultural 

produces our country is earning foreign exchange.

India exporting  flowers to America,  Netherlands, Germany, Japan, UK,  Onions to 

Malayasia, UAE, Singapore, Srilanka and Bangladesh.  Vegetables to Srilanka,

America, UAE, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, U.K., Kuawait, Fresh grapes to UK, 

Netherlands, UAE, Bangladesh, Germany,  Fresh fruits to Bangladesh, UAE, Saudi 

Arabia, UK and Srilanka.  Processed vegetables to Egypt, Srilanka, UAE, America 

and Turkey and  Mango pulp to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Netherlands, Kuwait and 

Germany. Pickles and Chutneys to UK, America, UAE, Spain etc.

2. Horticulture is a mother for many axillary industries like canning industries and 

processing industries etc. Several agro industries, based on horticultural products are 

being established there by solving the unemployment problem to some 

extent.Eg.Rubber, Coir (Coconut) and sago (Tapioca) industries.

3. Horticultural crops provide gainful employment for small farmers and agricultural 

labour through out the year. One hectare of fruit production generates 860 man-days 

per annum as against 143 man-days for cereal crops. Some industrial attribute crops and cultural intensive crops like grape, banana and pineapple, generate much large 

employment ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 man-days per hectare.

Role of horticultural crops in human nutrition

            From human nutrition point of view horticulture is most important to our daily living. 

Many of the horticulture crops and their products find place in our meals and diet. 

Human body requires vitamins, minerals, proteins, energy etc. for its health. All these 

are supplied by horticultural crops. Fruits and vegetables are the chief sources of 

vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins etc. 

Fruits and vegetables are recognized as protective foods as they are necessary for 

the maintenance of human health.

Vitamins:  These are the important constituents of fruits and vegetables and are 

indispensable part of human diet. Although required in very minute quantities, they are 

absolutely essential for the maintenance of health. The deficiency of any vitamin from 

the diet for considerable period may  lead to diseased state or disorder conditions. 

Fruits and vegetables supply several vitamins.

Calcium: It is essential for development of bones regulation of heartbeat, controlling blood 

clots

Sources:  Fruits- Acid lime, Orange, Fig, Dried apricots, wood apple etc. VegetablesCabbage, greens, beans, carrot, onions, peas, tomatoes, agati, spinach drumstick 

leaves etc.

Iron: It is required for production of haemoglobin and it is constituent of red blood 

corpuscles. Its deficiency causes anaemia, smooth tongue, pale lips, eyes and skin 

and frequent exhaustion.

Sources:  Fruits- Custard apple, Guava, Pineapple, Straw berry, Grape, Black 

currents, dried dates etc. and vegetables like Carrot, Drumstick leaves, beans and agati 

etc.

Phosphorous: It is essential for maintaining the moisture content of tissues and for 

development of bones.

Sources: Fruits-Guava, Grape, Jackfruit, Passion fruit, Orange and vegetables like 

Carrot, Chilli,  Drumstick leaves, Beans, cucumber and  onion.

Proteins: These are bodybuilding foods. These are essential for growth of the body. 

The deficiency of proteins in the body causes retarded growth and increases 

susceptibility to diseases and causes lethargy.

Sources: Fruits- Most of the fruits are low in proteins except Guava and Banana. 

Vegetables like peas and beans are rich in proteins.

Enzymes: These are required for controlling several metabolic activities in the body.

Sources: Papaya-Papain and Pineapple-Bromelin.

Fibre and roughages (Cellulose and pectin):  Fruits and vegetables supply 

roughages These are required for digestion and prevention of constipation.

Sources: Fruits contain low content of fibre. Guava and anola are better sources 

compared to other fruits. Leafy vegetables are rich in fibre content

Areas Of Study Horticulture

                                      

              According to some accounts, horticulture involves eight areas of study, which can be grouped into two broad sections - ornamentals and edibles:

• Arboriculture is the study of, and the selection, planting, care, and removal of, individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants.
• Turf management includes all aspects of the production and maintenance of turf grass for sports, leisure use or amenity use.
• Floriculture includes the production and marketing of floral crops.
• Landscape horticulture includes the production, marketing and maintenance of landscape plants.
• Olericulture includes the production and marketing of vegetables.
• Pomology includes the production and marketing of pome fruits.
• Viticulture includes the production and marketing of grapes.
• Oenology includes all aspects of wine and winemaking.
• Postharvest physiology involves maintaining the quality of and preventing the spoilage of horticultural crops.

Horticulturists can work in industry, government or educational institutions or private collections. They can be cropping systems engineers, wholesale or retail business managers, propagators and tissue culture specialists (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and turf), crop inspectors, crop production advisers, extension specialists, plant breeders, research scientists, and teachers.

Disciplines which complement horticulture include permaculture, biology, botany, entomology, chemistry, geography, mathematics, genetics, physiology, statistics, computer science, communications,garden design, and planting design. Plant science and horticulture courses include: plant materials, plant propagation, tissue culture, crop production, post-harvest handling, plant breeding, pollination management, crop nutrition, entomology, plant pathology, economics, and business. Some careers in horticultural science require a masters (MS) or doctoral (PhD) degree.

Horticulture is practiced in many gardens, "plant growth centres" and nurseries. Activities in nurseries range from preparing seeds and cuttings to growing fully mature plants. These are often sold or transferred to ornamental gardens or market gardens.