Horticulture is the application science of fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and ornamental plant production. Although the word contains the Latin "horti-" meaning garden, it also refers to profit crop management. In contrast, the term doesn't describe the big arable crops such as cereals, leguminous plants, cotton, etc. Horticultural crops are both perennial and annual. Branches of horticulture are:
- olericulture (vegetable production)
- pomology (fruits and nuts production)
- viticulture (grapevine cultivation)
- floriculture (flowering and ornamental plant production).
The production of some agricultural products doesn't clearly belong to horticulture. Beekeeping, sericulture (silkworm cultivation), and mushroom cultivation are such examples.
Other disciplines related to horticulture
Agriculture: It is the most generic term that encompasses both horticulture and agronomy. Agriculture is the science/practice of farming that can include crop and livestock production (for food, feed, fiber, and other products).
Agronomy: It is the science/practise that manages crops of a larger scale (field crops, like arable crops). Agronomy takes into account many different parameters and interaction relevant to crop production (e.g. soi, water, environment, weather, genetics, etc), with a integrated and holistic approach.
Forestry and Agroforestry: It is the science/practice that includes the propagation, planting, caring/managing of tree plants (forests). These trees can be used for commercial reasons and harvesting products (e.g., fruits, wood, resin, etc.).
The difference Between Horticulture and Botany
Botany is the study of many different kinds of plants (not only the ones that can be commercially exploited) in natural environments.
On the other had in horticulture, the scientists or agronomist studies and manage plants/crops for agricultural production to cover the needs and preferences of consumers and general public. They may work in open-fields, gardens and greenhouses.
