Horticulture: Principles and Practices

This book presents an extensive and comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of Horticulture, progressing gradually to more advanced technologies. It serves as a valuable resource, providing ready tips for undergraduate faculty. The first four chapters cover broad descriptions of the fundamentals in horticultural sciences and the institutions dedicated to fostering interest in the field. Chapters 5 through 14 delve into the tools, inputs, and techniques used in crop management. Chapters 16 through 19 examine the application of growth regulators, protected cultivation, good agricultural practices, and organic horticulture. In light of increasing pollution, chapter 20 addresses the growing need for individuals to produce their own vegetables. Chapter 21 provides insight into applied biotechnology in horticulture, including micropropagation and genetic engineering. Chapters 22 and 23 explore the scope of aesthetic aspects of horticulture. Horticulture therapy, a novel approach to addressing current health concerns, is explained in chapter 24. Chapter 25 discusses the impact of climate change and human behavior on crop growth and stress conditions. Lastly, chapters 26 and 27 focus on post-harvest handling and value addition to reduce the estimated 20-30% of horticulture produce lost as post-harvest loss.