|
The Latin words hortus (garden
plant) and cultura (culture) together form horticulture,
classically defined as the culture or growing of garden plants. Horticulture is, however, much more. Horticulturists work in
plant propagation, crop
production, plant breeding and genetic engineering, plant
biochemistry, plant physiology, and the storage, processing, and transportation of fruits, berries, nuts, vegetables, flowers,
trees, shrubs, and turf. They improve crop yield, quality, nutritional value, and
resistance to insects, diseases, and
environmental stresses. Genetics is also used as a valuable tool in the development
of plants that can synthesize chemicals for fighting disease (including cancers).
Horticulture involves five areas of study. These areas are floriculture (includes production and marketing of
floral crops), landscape horticulture (includes production, marketing and maintenance of landscape plants),
olericulture (includes production and marketing of vegetables), pomology (includes production and marketing of fruits), and postharvest physiology (involves maintaining quality
and preventing spoilage of horticultural crops).
Horticulturists can work in industry, government, or educational institutions. They can be cropping systems engineers,
wholesale or retail business managers, propagators and tissue culture specialists (fruit,
vegetables, ornamentals, and turf), crop inspectors, crop production advisors,
extension specialists, plant breeders, research scientists, and of course, teachers.
College courses that complement Horticulture are biology, chemistry, mathematics, genetics, physiology, statistics, computer
science, and communications. 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.
External links
|