Preface Horticulture, in recent years, has emerged as an important and viable diversification option in agriculture for effective landuse, nutritional security and employment opportunities and has also transformed the subsistence farming into a high value commercial enterprise. Now it is a delightful occasion that our book, Objective Horticulture Fruit Science, Vegetable Science and Floriculture, is on the brink of second edition. The readers of this book are spread all across the Horticultural Universities. There is an imperative growing need for knowledge in horticulture. The book entitled “Objective Horticulture” has therefore been enhancing competitive skills for M-Sc and Ph.D admission in Agricultural/Horticultural University, ICAR Institutes and other Competitive examinations. At the sametime it is hoped that this second edition may serve as an effective guide to all those aiming for further enhancement of their career in horticulture. We do hope that the book will be of appropriate use for the students in particular and teacher, scientists and farmers in general.

Classification refers to grouping of individuals with similar identities related to genetic make up, evolution or climatic requirements. The major units are order, family, sub-family, genus, species, variety/cultivar and strain. Monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous are two major classes and most of the fruits are covered under dicotyledonous family. Different basis of classification of fruits are: Botanical; Ecological; Stem morphology; Fruit morphology; Flowering habit; Respiration rate; Photoperiodism; Shade tolerance; Drought tolerance; Soil texture and topography; Soil reaction; Soil tolerance; Horticultural; Bearing habit; Inflorescence type; pollination types; Type of self incompatibility; Type of dichogamy; Edible parts; Center of origin; Ploidy levels; Longevity of fruit crops; Fruit size and Nutrient contents of fruits.

Vegetables are rich source of vitamins, minerals than other than nutrients. In India, vegetables occupy only 2.8% of the total cropped area. Vegetables are (except mushroom) grown for their succulent and edible parts such as the roots, stems, leaves, young tops, fruits or seeds which are used in culinary preparations either fresh or preserved in the fresh state. These crops are further classified into different groupings according to similarities in edible parts, growth habits, methods of culture and botanical family.

Floriculture is the aesthetic branch of horticulture which deals not only with the cultivation of ornamentals, annuals, biennials and perennial plants but also with their marketing. Flowers symbolize beauty, purity, peace and love. In India, it is a dynamic and expanding industry showing an impressive annual growth rate. Classification of Flower Crops The flowering plants can be classified broadly on the basis of their species, genus, family, plant part used or type of flower plants. They are further classified as cutflowers, cut foliage, turfgrasses, groundcovers, hedges, accents, specimen plants, avenue trees, screens, topiaries, fillers and others.

Abscission: The shedding of leaves, flowers or fruits as a result of formation of layer of loosely adhering cells at base that breaks apart readily. Accent: It is created in the garden to avoid the monotonous view. Mostly unusual object like tall fountain, tree, statue etc are used to create the effect Acre: A unit of measurement of land area equivalent to 4840 square yards or 0.4047 hactare. Acropetal: Developing sequentially from basal to the apical position. Acrylic: It is a glassy thermoplastic that is incorporated in rigid plastic to enhance wither ability. Aestivation: The use of high temperature to promote flowering. After-ripening: Physiological changes that take place within a dormant seed or bud during dormancy or It is a type of embryo maturation which enables germination of seeds.

Edaphology is the study of soil properties in relation to plant higher production. Pedology refers to study of origin of soils in their natural environment, classification and description. pH is the negative logarithm of the concentration of H+ ions in soil solution. Soil profile is a vertical exposure of horizon sequence. Soil texture is not changed by cultural management. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is defined as sum total of exchangeable cations that a soil can absorb.