Fundamentals of Horticulture

HORT 180 is a foundation course in horticulture that introduces branches of horticulture, climate and soil needs, propagation methods, orchard establishment, pruning, pollination, growth regulators, and basic crop-management principles.

Horticulture is the branch of agriculture concerned with the cultivation and management of fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, spices, and other high-value plant crops.

Sexual propagation uses seeds and creates genetic variation, while asexual propagation uses vegetative parts such as cuttings, grafts, buds, or layers to produce plants that remain true to type.

Training and pruning are important because they help shape plants, improve light penetration and air flow, manage canopy size, support fruiting wood, and maintain productivity and plant health.

Orchard establishment means planning and setting up a fruit plantation through proper site selection, layout, spacing, planting systems, planting material choice, and early management practices.

Pollinizers are compatible plants or varieties that supply suitable pollen, while pollinators are agents such as bees or other insects that transfer pollen and help successful fruit set.

Parthenocarpy is fruit development without fertilization, which can lead to seedless fruits in certain horticultural crops.

Plant growth regulators are important because they influence rooting, flowering, fruit set, ripening, and other developmental processes, making them useful tools in crop production and propagation.