Odisha CHSE +2 Vocational Horticulture key terms

The branch of agriculture that deals with cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants for food, beauty, or commerce. It is usually divided into pomology, olericulture, floriculture, and post-harvest work.

The science and practice of growing fruit crops such as mango, banana, guava, and citrus. It covers orchard planning, pruning, pollination, fruit set, and harvesting of perennial woody or herbaceous fruit plants.

The branch of horticulture concerned with the production of vegetables for fresh market or processing. It includes raising seedlings, transplanting, crop scheduling, and harvesting of leafy, root, and fruit vegetables.

The cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens, cut flowers, and decoration. It includes production of loose flowers, cut flowers, potted plants, and landscape ornamentals.

A planned area where fruit trees are planted and managed as a unit. Layout, spacing, pollinizer placement, irrigation, and intercropping are decided before planting to allow easy cultural operations.

A plant variety planted in an orchard to supply pollen to a self-incompatible or poorly self-pollinating main variety. It must flower at the same time and produce abundant viable pollen.

A condition in which a plant's own pollen fails to fertilise its ovules, so fruit set needs pollen from a different compatible variety. It is common in mango and some other fruit crops.

The stage when a flower's ovary develops into a young fruit after successful pollination and fertilisation. Poor fruit set may result from rain, low pollinator activity, or incompatible pollen.

Deliberate removal of plant parts such as branches, shoots, or roots to shape the plant, improve light penetration, remove diseased wood, and regulate fruit production. It differs from training, which directs growth.

Guiding a plant's growth into a desired shape or framework, such as a central leader, open centre, or trellis system. It is done early in the plant's life to support later pruning and harvesting.

Manipulation of the size, shape, and density of a plant's crown to improve light interception, air movement, and spray coverage. It includes pruning, training, and thinning of branches.

Growing a short-duration secondary crop between rows of the main crop, for example vegetables between young fruit trees. It uses vacant space and gives early income but must not compete with the main crop.

Growing crops under structures such as greenhouses, polyhouses, shade nets, or low tunnels to control temperature, light, humidity, and pests. It allows off-season production and higher quality.

A crop-growing structure covered with plastic film, usually supported by a metal frame. It protects plants from rain and pests and can be naturally ventilated or climate-controlled.

A woven fabric screen used to reduce light intensity and temperature over crops or nurseries. Shade percentage is chosen according to the crop's light requirement and season.

Covering the soil surface with organic material such as straw or with plastic film to reduce evaporation, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature. It also protects fruit from soil contact.

The planned sequence and combination of vegetable crops on a piece of land over time, such as sole cropping, relay cropping, or multiple cropping. It aims at continuous supply and better land use.

Growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same land across seasons. It helps prevent build-up of soil-borne pests and diseases and balances nutrient use.

A managed place where seedlings, saplings, and planting material are raised and cared for before sale or field planting. It includes beds, containers, shade, and irrigation arrangements.

A prepared area of soil, often raised, where seeds are sown to raise seedlings. Beds are usually sterilised, levelled, and provided with fine soil and drainage before sowing.

The lower portion of a grafted plant that provides the root system. It is chosen for vigour, soil adaptation, or disease resistance and influences the size and performance of the scion.

The shoot portion of a grafted plant that becomes the upper canopy and bears the desired fruit or flower. It is joined to a rootstock so that the two grow as one plant.

Joining a scion to a rootstock so that their tissues unite and grow as a single plant. It is used to propagate cultivars, change varieties, and combine desirable root and shoot traits.

A propagation method in which a single bud with a small piece of bark is inserted under the bark of a rootstock. It is widely used for fruit trees and roses and is faster than grafting.

A piece of stem, leaf, or root taken from a parent plant and placed in a suitable medium to form roots and shoots. It produces plants identical to the parent if the plant is true to type.

A propagation method in which a stem is induced to root while still attached to the parent plant. The rooted portion is then separated and planted as a new individual.

The process of producing new plants from seed or from vegetative parts such as cuttings, layers, and grafts. The method chosen depends on the crop and whether uniform plants are needed.

Moving a seedling or young plant from a nursery bed or container to its final field position. Careful handling and watering at this stage reduce transplant shock and mortality.

Gradually exposing nursery plants to harsher field conditions before transplanting. Reduced watering and shade help seedlings develop tougher tissues and survive field establishment better.

A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a scale from 0 to 14. It strongly affects nutrient availability, so crops such as citrus and tea have preferred pH ranges.

Laboratory analysis of a soil sample to estimate pH, organic matter, and available nutrients. Results guide fertiliser doses and are more reliable than visual judgement alone.

Living and dead plant and animal material in the soil, including compost and crop residues. It improves structure, water holding, and nutrient supply and supports beneficial soil organisms.

Applying water slowly and directly to the root zone through emitters in pipes. It saves water, reduces weed growth, and allows fertiliser to be delivered with the water.

Supplying dissolved fertilisers to crops through an irrigation system, usually drip. It allows small, frequent doses matched to crop demand but needs careful calibration and clean water.

A strategy that combines monitoring, cultural methods, resistant varieties, biological control, and judicious pesticide use to keep pests below damaging levels. It reduces reliance on chemicals and resistance risk.

The pest population density at which control measures should be applied to prevent the pest from reaching the level that causes economic loss. It helps decide when spraying is justified.

Using living organisms such as predators, parasitoids, or pathogens to suppress pest populations. It is a component of integrated pest management and needs careful timing with chemicals.

Reduction in quantity or quality of produce between harvest and consumption. Causes include poor handling, bruising, rotting, and unsuitable storage or transport.

Sorting produce into uniform categories based on size, shape, colour, and freedom from defects. Grading improves market value and allows consistent packing and pricing.

An uninterrupted series of refrigerated storage and transport steps from harvest to sale. Keeping produce cool slows respiration and decay and protects quality.

A series of changes in fruit that makes it ready to eat, including softening, colour change, and sugar development. Ethylene is often used to ripen fruit uniformly.

Processing raw horticultural produce into products such as jam, juice, pickle, or dried fruit to increase shelf life and income. It reduces waste and creates marketable products.

A member-owned organisation in which producers pool resources for input supply, processing, or marketing. It can improve bargaining power, credit access, and price realisation for small growers.

The route a product follows from producer to consumer, including intermediaries such as wholesalers and retailers. Shorter channels usually leave the grower a larger share of the price.

A system that transfers research-based information and technology to farmers through demonstrations, training, and field visits. It helps growers adopt improved practices and solve field problems.

Planning and arranging plants, paths, water, and other features to make an outdoor area attractive and usable. It uses trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowering plants together.

A flower harvested with its stem for use in bouquets and arrangements. Quality depends on stem length, flower size, freshness, and vase life.

A flower harvested without a long stem, mainly for garlands, puja, and decoration. Marigold, jasmine, and chrysanthemum are common loose flower crops.