Relation of horticulture with other science

a) Soil science

• All horticultural crops are grown in soil • Soil is the medium for plant growth and development
• So, we should have knowledge about the soil pH, soil texture, soil minerals, water holding capacity, soil fertility, soil moisture and soil microbiology before horticultural plants are planted

b) Agronomy

• Many cultural and management practices are similar for agronomical as well as horticultural crops like potatoes, peas, beans are studied in both
• Post harvest technique for agronomical and horticultural crops are also similar
• Many horticultural crops and agronomical crops are cultivate together as mixed cropping intercropping and multi storied cropping

c) Botany

• Horticultural crops are closely associated with botany
• Botanical characterizations are also highly necessary for horticultural crops
• The knowledge of morphology, anatomy, physiology and systematic of horticultural plants are studied in botany

d) Plant protection

• All horticultural crops are attached by many insects pest and diseases
• If plant protection measures are not followed in time, the yield will be decreased

e) Genetic and plant breeding

• Horticulturist should have knowledge of the principles of genetics and plant breeding

• The selection, hybridization mutation are the useful tools for developing new variety of horticultural crops

f) Biochemistry and plant physiology

• Internal mechanism of all plants is governed by enzymes, hormones and nutrition the chemical reaction function of enzymes and hormone within the plant system should be known by a horticulturist

g) Statistics and computer science

• Horticulturist should have a sound knowledge on statistics and computer science
• Many statistical methods and experimental designs are used for measuring the plant performance
• We conduct a lot of experiments on horticultural crops and generate thousands of data
• Computers help to process these data and say whether significant or non-significant

h) Biotechnology

• Many varieties and cultivators have been developed through biotechnology
• Rapid multiplication of strain such as virus free, disease and pest resistant crops have been possible by tissue culture
• The advanced technology for crop improvement through genetic engineering, tissue culture, organ culture, embryo culture, ovule culture, ovary culture, gene transfer, DNA transfer, micro injection, etc come under biotechnology
• So, a horticulturist must have knowledge about biotechnology

i) Extension and rural sociology

• The new technology developed from a research station need to reach to farmer level
• So, the extension education serves as a bridge between farmer’s field and research station • A good knowledge of rural sociology favors the horticulturist to bring the new techniques to the farmer’s field.