eChapters

1. Introduction

Agriculture in India is livelihood for a majority of the population and can never be underestimated. Increasing population, increasing average income and globalisation effects in India will increase demand for quantity, quality and nutritious food, and variety of food. Therefore, pressure on decreasing available cultivable land to produce more quantity, variety and quality of food will keep on increasing. India’s food security depends on producing cereal crops, as well as increasing its production of fruits, vegetables and milk to meet the demands of a growing population with rising incomes. To reach world-wide food security, improved food production and food productivity, we need to approve innovative and futuristic advances and technologies to improve crop cultivation, yield and productivity.

. Introduction

A primary issue for modern horticulture is facing two contradictory objectives, such as the need to produce food for the increasing world population and to minimize damage to the environment, which can in turn negatively impact horticulture. Fertilizer and chemical use and manufacture are hazardous to the environment and humans. As a result, new and effective environmentally friendly compounds are required. Plant biostimulants, which are harmless for humans and the environment, are one answer. They are particularly useful for lowering pesticides in agriculture. Plant biostimulants have become popular in farming and cultivation in recent years.

1. Introduction

India is known as seed spices hub because as far as International level of concern, our country is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of seed spices. Seed spices contribute about 51.79 % of total area and 19.06 % of production of total spices in the country. The area under seed spices is about 1.74 million hectare and production is about 1.45 million tons (Lal, 2018). In our national economy, seed spices are play an important role, the demand is increasing not only due to its large domestic consumption, but also for export. Since long, huge demand of seed spices and importing countries in global market look at India for quality produce of seed spices. The ISO has been listed a total of 109 spices, out of which 63 spices are being grown in India and 20 spices are being classified as seed spices. 

1. Introduction

Fenugreek (Trigonella sp.) is one among the world’s oldest seed spice crops and has gained a supreme importance due to its extensive pharmacological properties (Basu and Prasad, 2011; Maloo et al., 2020). In ancient time’s fenugreek plant was well known and used as a medicinal drug by Egyptians (Rouk and Mangesha 1963). The Ebers Papyrus (one of the oldest preserved pharmaceutical documents) detailed therapeutic advantages and descriptions in Egypt circa 1500 BC (Betty, 2008). It has gained great importance due to its multifaceted uses which are being exploited by farmer’s and industrialist for different purposes.

1. Introduction

A combination of art and science had been used for a longer but due to the exponential increase in human population and reduction in operational land holdings its practices became narrow. Nowadays, gardening has gained much popularity among people, as the Covid-19 pandemic has forced them to lock themselves in their houses. These days Mass population is involved in gardening for growing their own food, resulting in a more personal approach to more economical, better-tasting, and healthier products (Pawelek et al., 2009). Gardens have grown increasingly significant for producing nutrient-dense food, protecting biodiversity, and conducting biological and ecological research and education. Biological communities, which are interacting groups of numerous species in the same place, can also be found in gardens. Pollinators and other visitors to flowers eat nectar and pollen from flowers, and some may use floral volatile oils, lipids, or resins for their food, shelter, and mating locations (Simpson and Neff, 1983).

1. Introduction

A lawn is an indispensable feature of a landscape with a sizeable proportion of space relative to other garden features. It is regarded as the heart of a garden that enhances the beauty of a landscape providing both functional and aesthetic utility. A well maintained lawn at a residential, public or institutional places can be used both for active and passive recreation. It enhance the beauty of surroundings and contribute to real estate value. The turf industry is being viewed as an integrated sector of ornamental horticulture in the developed countries like USA, Australia, China, Netherland, UK, Japan and Denmark. Globally, the turf grass industry has employed skilled workforce for maintaining more than 700,000 athletic fields and over 17,000 golf courses, with an annual worth of $ 20 million each year (Aldous and Chivers, 2002).

1. Introduction

Lac and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs) provide vital sustenance, employment, and financial revenue to producers and collectors as well as serving a raw material for a range of businesses. They are also important for ecological balance and long-term growth. Weather and price fluctuations have a significant impact on the production of such natural items. Food, fodder, and medication are all ingested straight from these plants. The Indian subcontinent is a significant centre of animal and plant biodiversity. In tropical climates, a variety of forest products play an important role in social and economic life. Wood and Non-Wood Forest Pro

1. Introduction

India has diverse agro-climatic conditions which, widely promote the cultivation of different types of fruit crop. A wide variety of fruit crops are grown across the country such as banana, mango, citrus, papaya, guava, grapes, pomegranate, apple etc. Globally, we rank second in fruit production after China. The total area under fruit crops is 66.64 lakh ha with a production of 99.06 million Mt (Anon., 2018). However, the average productivity (13.03 t/ha) in fruit crops is quite low than other countries. Further, the per capita fruits availability in our country is 207.9 g/ day which is below than the recommended quantity of 230 g/capita/day (Anon., 2018). 

1. Introduction

The word ‘PLASTIC’ is a Greek word which involves two words ‘PLASSIEN’ and ‘PLASTIKOS’. Denotation of word is to mould or shape into a soft substance which can be permanent or temporary. The use of plastics in agriculture as well as in horticulture has made substantial progress during the last decade. We all know that plastics contribute not only in planting but also in post-harvest handling and processing of many agri-horticulture crops. At every stage of horticultural crop life cycle plastics are used i.e. in seeds and fruits packaging, planting and propagation, mulching, irrigation, harvesting and preservation etc.

1. Introduction

Nursery is a place, where seedlings and saplings of different ornamental plants (trees, shrubs, climbers, annuals, potted plants etc.) are propagated and maintained until they are out-planted in a prepared bed or in pots. Establishment of an ornamental nursery is emerging as a profitable venture, especially around cities. Rapid urbanization has led to the development of community parks and various sites for people to engage in active and passive recreation. This has led to surge in demand for quality planting material, which ensures rapid establishment and beautification of the landscape site. The following chapter deals with the basic principles and practices of establishment of ornamental plant nursery, with reference to its effective management to enhance the income and reap better profit.

1. Introduction

Nursery raising is as old as agriculture and has many advantages compared to direct seeding in special situations like vegetable cultivation and other high value plants. There are several types of nurseries to cater different crop species like ornamental plants, fruit plants, forest plants and vegetables, although the fundamental concept of all these nurseries is the same. With the advent of drip system, soilless media and plasticulture the nursery system has also become more modern and automated. A nursery is a area or place for growing and looking after young seedlings/plants until they are ready for planting in the main field. 

1. Introduction

Global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 (UN report, 2019) and food requirement will betwofold of the current levels to feed the growing population. Asia and the Pacific regionaccounts for> 70% of the global population but has only 30% of the world’s arable land (FAO, 2021). An increase in yield of these regions over the years has largely been due to excessive and indiscriminate use of inputs like irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agrochemicals etc. and at considerable expense of its natural resources. Most of the pesticide recommendations are also region specific, which are on a few random observations of pest density. Because of low quality of agrochemicals often due to adulteration and increased pest resistance, indiscriminate application is now common especially in high valued crops.

1. Introduction

Zinc is an important micro-nutrient for human population and its deficiency can cause major diseases, mortality and thus becomes a major challenge in public health care systems of the developing nations. It was estimated that a major part of population is affected with deficiency of zinc (Combs, 2001) which causes lower growth, abnormal or decrease in infant birth, lowers the energy of body, decreases the power to lower the deadly infections, increase the mortality rate in children etc. (Gibson 2012; Krebs et al., 2014). Zinc also catalyzes various enzymes such as RNA polymerase, superoxidase dismutase and helps in working efficiency of cellular proteins. 

1. Introduction

Total population of India is estimated to cross 1.64 billion in 2050. Increasing population, decreasing economic status of Farmer, improper diet and nutrition, fixed farm land, degradation of cultivable land and malnutrition in Indian population is major key problem in 2 to 3 decades. More than 600000 children below 5 year age die due to improper nutrition each year in developing countries (White and Broadley, 1998). All the data provide a scary image about future. Almost 60% of the malnutrition children are iron deficient. Iron deficiency is very common among the girls; 30% each are deficient in zinc and iodine. The incomplete diet and malnutrition can lead to several disorder and degrade the human health (Shuman, 1998).

Agriculture University Kota, Jhalrapatan, Rajasthan, India

1. Introduction

India’s population is likely to reach 1.7 billion by 2050, making it as the thickly populated nation in the world. To feed the ever rising population, food production need augment by 70%. This augment is very serious since Indian agriculture is facing numerous challenges due to disintegration of holdings, ill brunt of climate change, sustaining investment, soaring fluctuation in prices and production, unorganized markets, inconsistent market performance, renovation of agricultural land intended for non-farm purposes and enlarged cost of production (Gangaiah, 2018). The current conditions of the Indian agriculture sector reflect that the farmers are facing severe deficit of income which is to an imperative issue and as a result dissuading the rural youth to take up agriculture as livelihood operation.

1. Introduction

There are around six hundred major and minor crop species but only two percent are cultivated commercially meeting the food (calorie) requirements. The most commonly cultivated food plants are even smaller counting to merely 20 crops (Wilkes, 1984). The huge number of underutilized crops may serve as potential fruit crops to meet the nutritional requirements of poor farming households in lesser common farming and subsistence agriculture. The adoption of underutilized crops on a commercial scale may not be possible without crop improvement, standardized agronomic and fertilizer management technologies, pre- and post-harvesting techniques and marketing (Bag Mal et al., 1997).

1. Introduction

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a popular seed spice crop, used for dual purpose seed and leaves both. Since ancient times, coriander leaves have been used in the production of many popular Asian and East European foods. It improves the taste and flavor of vegetable, chicken, fish, and meat dishes when combined with other kitchen herbs and spices. Blending of green coriander leaves with other spice crops is used to make chatni (paste) which is a good appetizer, flavour enhancer and rich source of medicinal properties of coriander. The green leaves of coriander are a rich source of minerals like calcium, phosphorus and iron as well as vitamin A, C, riboflavin and folic acid. Coriander is one of the few plants which can be termed both as herb and spice, the seeds being used as spices (coriander) and leaves are widely used as herbs (cilantro). The green leaves of this herb contain 160 mg/100 g vitamin C, 12 mg/100 g vitamin A and 87.9% moisture, 3.3% protein, 0.6% fat, 6.5% carbohydrates and 1.7% mineral matter

1. Introduction

Spices are a high-value, low-volume commodity traded around the world. Spices have played a significant part in civilisation, exploration, and commerce throughout history. Since ancient times, India has been known as the spice capital of the world, with over a hundred different types of spices grown. India has long been a traditional producer, consumer, and exporter of spices, with nearly every state producing one or more of them. India has a total area under spice production of 39,27,430 ha, which produced 95,99,900 MT in 2017-18. (Spices Board, 2020a). Due to their rich aroma, texture, and flavour, Indian spices are in high demand around the world.

1. Introduction

Karonda is widespread throughout India, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions. As a hedge plant, the Karonda tree is frequently grown in residential gardens, farmer’s fields, and orchards. Karonda is widely used as a condiment or ingredient to Indian pickle and spices. It is a commonly growing indigenous shrub in India that may thrive in marginal and wasteland areas where other commercially important crops are unsuited. Karonda fruits are used in processed goods like as jam, jelly, squash, syrup, and chutney, and they are in high demand on the international market. Karonda is a rich source of nutrition and have highest Iron. The karonda fruits also contain vitamin C and it has antiscorbutic properties and helps to cure anaemia (Table 1). The fruits of Karonda are also used in many ayurvedic formulations. Root extract is used to reduce Chest pain.

1. Introduction

Chrysanthemum is commonly known as ‘Guldaoudi’, “Queen of the East”, “Glory of East” or “Autumn Queen”. It is one of the most beautiful and widely cultivated flowers that can be grown for its aesthetic value as well as for its commercial potential. The word chrysanthemum is derived from two Greek words, viz. “Chrysos” means gold and “Anthemon” means ‘flower’ i.e. golden flower. Chrysanthemum is the only crop that offers a great genetic diversity of flower colour, shape, forms, size, easy to propagate, growing habit, longer flowering duration and excellent vase life. Based on the shape of flower heads and floret arrangement of petals it can be used as pot plants for indoors and outdoors decoration as well as exhibition purpose; as cut flowers for flower arrangements, bouquets making and vase decoration; loose flower for making garlands, worshipping purpose and for bedding and garden decoration. Tall cultivars are suitable for background planting in borders and the dwarf and compact can be planted in front rows.