Horticulture Courses

A sub-field of agriculture, Horticulture is involved with the cultivation of plants that are used primarily for aesthetics. In contrast to agriculture, Horticulture does not focus on mass production of any entity but includes small scale cultivation such as gardening. If you are a student of Biology and are interested in the study of ornamental plants then pursuing a program in Horticulture is the right choice for you. In this blog, we will be exploring all the details about Horticulture courses, the key areas of study, top colleges and career opportunities that you can explore in this field.

Overview of Horticulture Courses

A degree in Horticulture will allow you in getting well versed with the various aspects of gardening and cultivation of ornamental flowers, plants, and trees. You can pursue either a diploma course or an undergraduate degree in this field. There is ample scope for research in this area of study and you can also explore other good career opportunities after pursuing Horticulture courses. 

Key Subjects in Horticulture Courses

There are certain key elements or areas of study that you should know before choosing to pursue a degree in Horticulture. Also, a keen interest in Botany will be of great advantage while studying Horticulture courses. Listed below are a few key elements in this field of study:

Plant Physiology

Plant Physiology is a field of botany that is concerned with the functioning of plants. This field looks at the fundamental processes of plant life like photosynthesis, respiration, plant nutrition, etc. and studies them in detail. This helps in keeping a record of the status of a plant and its importance in the environment.

Food Production and Technology

This field of study looks at how food production is affected by various factors like herbicides, pesticides and various gardening tools and equipment. Food Technology also looks at the technical aspects of cultivation and food products such as irrigation, tilling, etc.

Breeding and Seed Production

This field of study looks at plant breeding and the production of seeds and the several other processes involved with it. This field looks at how different seasons, environment and other factors affect the breeding processes of various plants. It also looks at seed preservation and mating of plants.

Floriculture

This sub-field of Horticulture looks at the farming of ornamental flowers, their maintenance, development, and breeding. Floriculture also looks at the production and breeding of new varieties of flowers through mating and other such processes. This field also entails the commercial industry behind flowers, i.e. small scale production and selling of ornamental flowers in order to gain profit. Different environments breed different flowers, therefore, Floriculture also keeps a record of these plants in order to take care of the various other processes required to maintain these flower-bearing plants. 

Organic Farming

This subject deals with the cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in a natural process, devoid of all chemicals and inorganic fertilizers. It aims to ensure minimized pollution, wastage while maintaining the soil fertility and ecological balance.

Apiculture

Apiculture refers to the practice of keeping and maintaining bees and their hives for honey, beeswax, jelly and other products. The subject covers the different types of bee species, the difference in their products, and their conservation.

Soil Science

Soil science is the study of soil, including soil formation, its classification, its fertility, its edaphic factors, mapping, nutrients, soil inventory, land use, and management planning.

Also Read: BSc Agriculture Subjects

Top Colleges for Pursuing Horticulture Courses

Here are the top colleges for Horticulture courses that are known for having a well-updated curriculum and top research amenities for students:

• Wageningen University and Research
• University of California, Davis
• ETH Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
• Cornell University
• University of Wisconsin
• China Agricultural University
• Michigan State University
• AgroParisTech
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
• University of California, Berkeley

Top Colleges for Pursuing Horticulture Courses in India

• Amity University, Noida
• Banaras Hindu University
• Indian Agricultural Research Institute
• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
• Mewar University
• Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute

Career Opportunities 

There are a number of job prospects that you can pursue after Horticulture courses, some of them are:

• Horticulturist: Commercial Horticulturists are involved in cultivation, production, and management of food-producing and decorative plants. They make sure that the yield is improving and the plants are disease and pesticide-free. They also play a major role in maintaining retail greenhouses.
• Plantation Manager: A production manager looks at the production of various plants and how to increase production at minimal cost keeping in mind the various stages of crop production.
• Landscape Designer: A landscape designer uses their knowledge of plant production to create various projects that involve commercial gardens and public parks. This field also requires you to have a detailed understanding of how to install a landscape in a particular region.
• Horticulture Technician: A Horticulture technician looks after and maintains plants and trees in various nurseries, golf courses, and botanical gardens.
• Breeding Manager: Breeding Managers are responsible for breeding of different crops and plants to get desirable characters.
• Crop Consultant: Crop consultant looks at the soil fertility, pest management, seed selection and treatment of plants. 
• Plant Geneticist: Plant geneticist conduct research to improve the plants characteristics by breeding and getting the better genes. They focus on improving shape, size, production level, pesticide, disease tolerance, drought tolerance and high nutrient value.

Salaries 

1. Horticulturist: 2.5 to 7.0 Lakhs INR per year
2. Plantation Manager: 7 to 8 Lakhs INR per year
3. Horticulture Specialist: 6 Lakhs INR per year 
4. Soil Scientist: 4.5 to 6 Lakhs INR per year 
5. Seed Analyst: 3 to 6 Lakhs INR per year 
6. Technical Manager: 2 to 2.5 Lakhs INR per year 
7. Floriculturist: 3 to 6 Lakhs INR per year 
8. Pomologist: 4 to 6 Lakhs INR per year 

Thus, Horticulture courses help you explore the expansive field of Horticulture and bring out an immense range of career prospects as well. If you are curious about the application process of your chosen course in Horticulture, Leverage Edu experts can assist you throughout the process of filling out applications and getting successfully shortlisted in your dream university.