Division and Classification of Horticultural Crops .pdf

Division and classification of horticultural crops – fruits, vegetables, spices and plantation crops, floriculture, landscaping, ornamental gardening, medicinal and aromatic crops

1. Division and Classification of Horticultural Crops
Fruits, vegetables, spices and plantation crops, floriculture,
landscaping, ornamental gardening, medicinal
and aromatic crops
22CHOR11 - Fundamentals of Horticulture 2(1+1)
Dr. M. Kumaresan (Hort.)
Department of Horticulture
Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced
Studies (VISTAS)
Pallavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu -600117

2. Branches of Horticulture
Pomology: Study of fruit crops
Floriculture: Cultivation of flower crops
Olericulture: Cultivation of vegetables
Spices crops: Cultivation of cardamom, pepper, nutmeg etc.,
Plantation crops: Cultivation of coconut, arecanut, rubber, coffee, tea
Medicinal & aromatic crops: Cultivation of Medicinal and aromatic crops
Postharvest technology: Deals with postharvest handling, grading, packaging,
storage processing, value addition, marketing etc., of horticulture crops.

3. Pomology refers to the study of fruit crops
A fruit in horticultural science represents a plant, the product of which is
edible on ripening.
India is the second largest producer of fruits after Brazil.
A large variety of fruit crops are grown in India. Of these, mango, banana,
citrus, papaya, guava, pineapple, sapota, jackfruit, litchi, grapes, apple, pear,
peach, plum, walnut etc. are the important ones.
India accounts for 10 per cent of the total world production of fruits.
The leading fruit growing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
Pomology

4. Fruit crops are classified as 'woody plants' and 'herbaceous plants'. The woody
plants may be trees; shrubs or vines. The woody plants may be either
deciduous or evergreen. Deciduous plants are those which have a distinct
resting period during which all growth activities stop. Then plants normally
shed their leaves before entering into the rest period. This period of inactivity
coincides with 'winter'. After the 'rest' (at the end of winter) they produce
new growth and flowers.
Fruits borne on woody plants:
Tree fruits- Deciduous (temperate)
Pome-Apple, Pear, Quince-’
Drupe (stone fruits): Peach, Plum, Apricot,
Small fruits
Raspberry, Blackberry
Pomology

5. Cyclic Growth
(4) Rest period
(Winter)
(1) New growth
of flush and
growth (Spring)
(2) Fruit set
and fruit
maturity
(Summer)
(3) Shedding of
leaves (Autumn)
Under south Indian conditions,
the plant produces new growth,
flowers and fruits in February to
June
After July the gradual reduction
of growth and the leaves are shed
by October, November and the
plant enter in to rest

6. Tree fruits
Tropical: Mango, Sapota, Guava
Sub-tropical: Mangosteen, Litchi, Sweet Oranges
Small fruits
West Indian Cherry
Fruits borne on herbaceous perennial plants may be further classified as
those with prostrate growth and upright growth.
Prostrate growth: Strawberry
Upright growth: Banana, Pineapple
Pomology

7. Pomology
Based on temperature requirements, the fruit crops classified as
temperate, sub-tropical and tropical fruits. Generally the temperate
fruits are deciduous and the subtropical and tropical fruits are
‘evergreen’.
Evergreen plants do not have any distinct rest period. They retain
leaves always. But in such plants there may be a period of
comparative inactivity. The plants will not shed their leaves during
this period. This period of comparative inactivity generally occurs just
before flowering

8. Pomology
Based on the tolerance to the relative humidity of the atmosphere, the fruit
crops can be also classified as arid, semiarid and humid zone crops.
The arid/semi-arid regions have peculiar eco-climatological features and they
can exist in tropics, sub-tropics as well as temperate zones also. In these
zones, a deficiency of moisture restricts but not necessarily inhibits plant
growth. The rainfall in this zone is very low (0-250 mm) and is confined to 2
to 4 1/2 months and the remaining are dry months. Besides, in these regions,
higher solar radiation incidence (450-500 cal/cm
2
/day) and high wind velocity
(20 km/hr) results in a high potential evapotranspiration (6 mm/day). The
soils are of poor quality, with low fertility level and poor water holding
capacity (20 to 25%) and with high infiltration rate (9 cm/hr). Ber, annona,
date palm, phalsa are typical examples of arid or semi-arid crops. Mangosteen,
litchi and mandarin oranges are examples for humid zone fruits.

9. Olericulture
Olericulture is refers to the study of vegetables. Vegetable in horticultural
science is an edible herbaceous plant or part their of which is commonly used
for culinary purposes or as salads. More than 40 vegetables belonging to
Solanaceaeous, cucurbitaceous, leguminous, cruciferous, root crops and leafy
vegetables are grown in Indian tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions.
Important vegetables grown in India are onion, tomato, potato, brinjal, peas,
beans, okra, chilli, cabbage, cauliflower, bottle gourd, cucumber, watermelon,
carrot, radish etc. India ranks second in vegetable production next to China.
13.38 % to the total world production. India occupies first position in
cauliflower, second in Onion, third in cabbage in the world. West Bengal,
Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka are the important states
for horticultural crop production.

10. Floriculture
It is the art of growing, selling, designing and arranging flowers
and foliage plants
Commercial floriculture: It deals with the cultivation of economic
flowers like jasmine, roses, chrysanthemum, production of cut flowers and
gift plants
Arboriculture: It refers to the growing of trees for aesthetic or scientific
education purpose
Ornamental floriculture or gardening: It refers to the study of various
groups of ornamental plants which are used to decorate indoor and outdoor
gardens
Landscape gardening: It consists of planning and arrangement of home
grounds, public area and business establishments

11. Spices
Spices are those plants, the products of which are made use of as
food adjuncts to add aroma and flavour (e.g. pepper, cardamom,
clove and nutmeg etc.). Condiments are also plants, products of
which are used as food adjuncts to add 'taste' only (e.g. coriander,
cumin etc.). Both spices and condiments contain essential oils which
provide the flavour and taste. They are of little nutritive value. India
is known as home of spices producing a wide variety of spices like
black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, chilli, Coriander etc.
Major spice producing states are Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa, Tamil Nadu etc.

12. Plantation Crops
Plantation Crops is one of the important sectors contributing about
Rs.7,500 crores of export earnings. The crops like coconut, arecanut,
tea, coffee and rubber are known as plantation crops which are
grown in extensive scale The major plantation crops include
coconut, arecanut, oil palm, cashew, tea coffee, rubber cocoa, betel
vine, vanilla etc., The leading states are Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Assam etc.

13. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
India has diverse collection of medicinal and aromatic plants species
distributed throughout the country. It has more than 9,500 species
with medicinal properties. Demand for these crops is increasing
progressively in both domestic and export markets. The plants
yielding alkaloid and steroid principle which have got preventive
and curative properties are known as medicinal plants. Important
medicinal plants are Isabgol, Senna, Opium poppy, Periwinkle,
pyrethrum, Coleus, Ashwagandha, fox-glove etc. Aromatic plants
are those plants, the part of which yields (aromatic essential oils on
steam distillation or solvent extraction (e.g. Geranium, Patchouli,
Lemon grass, Citronella, Davana, Patchouli etc.,)

14. Classification of Horticultural Plants
Annuals: The plants completing their life cycle in one growing season or in one
year are called annuals. Example: zinnia, marigold and phlox
Biennials: The plants require two growing seasons or two years to complete
their life cycle are called biennials. For example: Sugar beet, onion and cabbage.
Normally biennials complete vegetative growth in first growing season followed
by flowering and death in the second growing season
Perennials: The plants grow year after year once planted are called perennials.
Example: Rose, Tuberose and Chrysanthemum
•Monocarps: The Monocarps are those plants which grow and remain in
vegetative phase many years and flower only once in life time thereafter
they die. The new plants arise from the roots only after the death of the
monocarps. For example: Agave spp
Classification based on life cycle

15. Classification based on climatic requirements
Temperate crops: Temperate horticultural crops flourish well in temperate regions of the
world. These plants can with stand with cold and needs chilling temperature. They go under
rest or dormancy and sheds their all leaves during winter
Examples: Apple, Pear, Walnut, Almond, Cherry, Strawberry, Plums and Peaches.
Tropical crops: These plants need warm and humid climate with very mild winter. The plants
cannot withstand with cold and can get frost injury if exposed to low temperature
Example: Pineapple, Banana, Papaya, Coconut, Cocoa, Guava, Sapota and Mangosteen
Subtropical crops: These plants require warm and humid climate and can tolerate low
temperature during mild winter
Example: Mango, Litchi, Citrus, Grape, Pomegranate, Avocado and Loquat

16. Classification based on leaves shedding
Evergreen plants: Evergreen plants are those plants which maintain green
leaves through the year and shed few senescence leaves.
Example: Citrus, Mango, Jackfruit, Papaya, Coconut and Banana
Deciduous plants: Deciduous plants are those plants which sheds all leaves
once in a year. The shedding of leaves may takes place either in dry or cold
season.
Example: Ber and Aonla shed their leaves in dry season and Phalsa, Apple, Pear
and Peach in cold season

17. Classification based on life cycle
Kharif crops: These horticultural crops are sown with onset of
monsoon in June –July and become ready to harvest in rainy season
Example: Bhindi, Chilli, Snakeguard, Pumpkin and Sponge gourd
Rabi crops: The rabi crops are sown with onset of winter in
October–November
Example: Potato, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomato, Radish, Carrot and
Pea
Zaid crops: These crops are sown in February-March
Example: Brinjal, Bitter gourd, Watermelon, Muskmelon and
Pumpkin

18. Classification based on kinds of stem
Herbs: The plants with soft and non-woody stem are
classified as herbs. The herbs live year after year is called
herbaceous perennials whereas herbaceous annuals complete
their life cycle within one growing seasons.
Examples of herbs: annual bedding plants, vegetables,
Aster, Gerbera, Balsam, Phlox and Zinnia

19. Classification based on kinds of stem
Shrubs: The shrubs are perennial plants having many woody
branches arising from the base of the plants at ground level.
The shrubs are usually smaller than tree and have no main trunk.
The shrubs are grown for aesthetic purpose in ornamental
horticulture.
Examples: Karonda (Carissa carandas L.) Phalse (Grewia
subnequalis D.C.), Citrus limonia var. variegate, Jasmines,
Duranta plumieri, Crotons, Acalyphas, Jatropha pandurifolia,
J. rosea, Hibiscus and Bougainvillea

20. Classification based on kinds of stem
Tree: The plants have main trunk with woody
branches arising from upper part of the trunk are called
trees
Examples: Mango, Aonla, Gulmohar, Jamun etc.

21. Classification based on uses
1. Edible plants: If the plants or their parts are eaten they are called edible
plants. The edible plants are further classified into:
a) Fruits: The fruit is botanically mature ovary. The fruits are those plants of
which fruits or its closely related structures (e.g. thalamus in pome) are edible
for examples: Mango, Banana, Ber, Grapes and Apple.
b) Vegetables: The herbaceous plants of which some parts are eaten either
cooked or raw with the meal are termed as vegetables for examples: tomato,
brinjal, peas, carrot, spinach and cauliflower.
c) Spices: The plants or its product which are used as food adjuncts to add
flavor and aroma are called spices whereas spices which are used as food
adjuncts to add taste only are called condiments. Examples: Turmeric, Ginger,
Black Pepper, Fenugreek, Fennel, Cumin and Coriander.

22. Classification based on uses
2. Ornamental plants: The plants cultivated for beautification or
aesthetic values are called ornamental plants. The ornamental plants
may be flowering or non-flowering.
Example: Rose, Gulmohar, Zinnia, Duranta, Begonia, crotons and
Acalyphas.
3. Medicinal and aeromatic plants: The plants have medicinal
and aeromatic properties are classified under medicinal and
aeromatic plants for example: Jasmine, Safedmusli, tulsi, Kalmegh
and Mentha

23. Other classification
1-Tree fruit: The fruits born on tree are called tree fruits for
examples: Mango, Apple, Pear and Aonla.
2-Small fruits: The fruits born on herbs, bushes and shrubs are
termed as small fruits. The examples are Karonda, Phalsa,
Raspberry, Cranberry and Strawberry.
3-Nuts: The fruits covered with hard shell separable from the
firm inner kernel are called nuts or nut fruits. Examples: Cashew
nut, Walnut, Pecan nut, Chestnut and Hazelnut.