Maharashtra HSC Horticulture (Vocational) 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 landscape horticulture.

The specialised study and cultivation of fruit crops, covering their botany, orchard management, pruning, pollination and harvesting practices.

The science and practice of growing vegetables for fresh market or processing, including crop selection, spacing, nutrition and harvesting schedules.

The cultivation of flowering and foliage plants for cut flowers, loose flowers, bedding displays or pot plant sales, including commercial flower production and ornamental nursery work.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to make sugars in the chloroplasts, releasing oxygen. It supplies the energy that drives plant growth, yield and fruit quality.

The loss of water vapour from plant surfaces, mainly through stomata in leaves. It cools the plant and pulls water and dissolved nutrients upward from the roots.

Tiny pores, mostly on leaf undersides, bordered by guard cells. They open and close to regulate gas exchange and water loss, and are the main route for transpiration and carbon dioxide entry.

The suppression of side shoot growth by the terminal bud, caused by auxin moving down the stem. Removing the tip encourages branching, a key technique in pruning and training.

A plant hormone, mainly indole-3-acetic acid, that controls cell elongation, apical dominance, root initiation and fruit development. Synthetic forms such as IBA and NAA are used in cutting propagation.

The relative proportions of sand, silt and clay particles in a soil. Texture governs water holding, drainage, aeration and workability, and is judged in the field by feel testing.

The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates or crumbs, creating pore spaces for air and water. Good structure improves root penetration, drainage and resistance to erosion.

The ability of a soil to hold positively charged nutrient ions such as calcium, magnesium and potassium on clay and humus surfaces, expressed in milliequivalents per 100 grams. Higher values mean greater nutrient retention.

The water content remaining in a soil after excess gravitational water has drained away, usually one to three days after rain or irrigation. It represents the upper limit of readily available soil moisture.

Decomposing plant and animal residues in soil, including humus. It improves structure, water holding, nutrient supply and microbial activity, and is central to organic horticulture.

Organic material decomposed by microorganisms under controlled conditions into a stable, humus-rich product used to enrich soil, improve structure and supply slow-release nutrients in nurseries and fields.

Nutrient-rich organic manure produced by earthworms feeding on organic waste. It is used as a potting medium component and field manure because it improves structure and supplies plant nutrients gently.

The three major plant nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, shown as percentages on fertiliser bags. Nitrogen favours vegetative growth, phosphorus roots and flowering, potassium fruit quality and stress tolerance.

Applying soluble fertilisers through a drip or sprinkler irrigation system so nutrients reach the root zone in small, frequent doses matched to crop demand.

A system delivering water slowly and directly to the root zone through emitters along pipes. It saves water, reduces weed growth and disease spread, and enables fertigation in orchards and protected crops.

Covering the soil surface with organic material such as straw, leaves or plastic film to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature and reduce erosion.

A resting state in which viable seeds fail to germinate even under favourable conditions. It may be due to hard seed coats, immature embryos or chemical inhibitors, and is broken by scarification or stratification.

Breaking a hard seed coat by mechanical abrasion, hot water or acid treatment so water can enter and germination can begin. Common for seeds such as ber, tamarind and some legumes.

Treating seeds with moist chilling, usually at low temperature for several weeks, to break physiological dormancy and synchronise germination. Used for many temperate fruit and ornamental species.

A preparation of synthetic auxin, commonly IBA or NAA, applied to the base of cuttings to stimulate adventitious root formation and improve rooting percentage and uniformity.

A propagation method in which a detached piece of stem, leaf or root is placed in a suitable medium to form roots and shoots, producing a plant identical to the parent.

Joining a scion from one plant onto the rootstock of another so they unite and grow as one plant. It is used to propagate superior cultivars, obtain disease resistance and adapt to soil conditions.

A form of grafting in which a single bud with a small shield of bark is inserted under the bark of a rootstock. It is economical and widely used for mango, citrus and rose propagation.

The lower, rooted portion of a grafted or budded plant that provides anchorage, water and nutrient uptake. Choice of rootstock controls vigour, soil adaptability and resistance to pests and diseases.

Propagation in which a stem is induced to root while still attached to the parent plant, then separated. Air layering suits plants such as litchi, guava and some ornamentals that root poorly from cuttings.

The upper shoot portion of a grafted or budded plant, chosen for its fruit or flower characters. It is joined to the rootstock so the two grow as a single plant.

A managed site where seedlings, saplings and planting material are raised and cared for before sale or field planting. It requires clean water, sterile media, shade management and pest hygiene.

Gradually exposing nursery seedlings to harsher field conditions by reducing water, shade and shelter before transplanting, so they survive transplant shock and establish quickly.

Moving seedlings or saplings from the nursery bed or container to the main field. Success depends on root care, correct spacing, timing and irrigation immediately after planting.

A managed area planted with fruit or plantation trees under a planned layout, with provision for irrigation, pruning, pollination and harvesting.

Deliberate removal of plant parts such as branches, shoots or roots to shape the plant, control size, improve light and airflow, remove diseased wood and balance vegetative growth with fruiting.

Shaping a young plant into a desired framework by staking, tying and selective pruning. Common systems include central leader, open centre and espalier for fruit trees and ornamentals.

Development of fruit without fertilisation, producing seedless fruits such as banana and some citrus and grapes. It may occur naturally or be induced by growth regulators.

A small home or school plot where vegetables, herbs and sometimes fruits are grown for household use, emphasising continuous supply, crop rotation and close spacing.

Planning and developing outdoor spaces using plants, lawns, paths, water and structures to create functional, attractive surroundings for homes, institutions and public areas.

A flower stem harvested for use in bouquets and arrangements. Quality depends on stem length, freshness, vase life and careful post-harvest handling such as cool storage and preservative solutions.

The period a cut flower or foliage remains acceptable after harvest. It is extended by cool storage, clean water, stem re-cutting and preservative solutions containing sugar and germicides.

A pest control strategy combining cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods, using pesticides only when economic thresholds are crossed, to reduce cost and resistance while protecting beneficial organisms.

Suppressing pests using their natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids and pathogens. Examples include Trichogramma against borers and Bacillus thuringiensis against caterpillars.

The pest population at which control measures are justified to prevent damage exceeding the cost of treatment. It guides spraying decisions in integrated pest management.

A plant growing where it is not wanted, competing with crops for water, light and nutrients and sometimes harbouring pests. Weeds are managed by cultural, mechanical, chemical and biological methods.

A chemical used to kill or suppress weeds. Selective types act only on certain plants, while non-selective types kill most vegetation and must be applied with care to avoid crop injury.

Growing different crop families in sequence on the same plot to prevent nutrient depletion and the build-up of soil-borne pests and diseases, and to improve soil health.

Growing crops under structures such as greenhouses, polyhouses, shade nets or plastic tunnels that modify temperature, humidity, light and pest exposure to extend seasons and raise yields.

A greenhouse structure covered with polyethylene film that protects crops from rain, wind and pests while controlling temperature and humidity, commonly used for vegetables and flowers.

A refrigerated facility maintaining low temperature and controlled humidity to slow respiration and spoilage of harvested produce, extending shelf life and market availability.

Processing or packaging a raw horticultural product into a higher-value form such as jam, juice, pickle, dried fruit or essential oil, increasing income and reducing post-harvest losses.

Quantitative and qualitative loss of produce between harvest and consumption, caused by poor handling, temperature abuse, injury, disease and delays in marketing.

Systematic collection and analysis of price, demand, supply and competitor information that helps farmers and agri-entrepreneurs decide what to grow, when to sell and where to market.

The educational process of transferring research-based farming knowledge to farmers through demonstrations, field visits, training and advisory services so they can adopt improved practices.

A district-level farm science centre in India that conducts on-farm demonstrations, vocational training and advisory work to transfer technology to farmers and rural youth.