Maharashtra HSC Horticulture (Vocational) study plan

Define horticulture and distinguish it from agronomy and forestry, listing three branches with one local example of each

Label the parts of a typical flowering plant and state the function of root, stem, leaf, flower, and fruit in one line each

Explain photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration in your own words and identify which one drives water loss in the field

Describe pollination types and fertilisation sequence in a fruit crop, and note why this matters for fruit set

Build a one-page glossary of 25 core plant-science terms with Marathi or English equivalents where helpful

Classify plant growth regulators by effect (auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, ethylene) and match each to one horticultural use

Explain seed dormancy and two methods of breaking it, then apply one method to a locally available seed

Distinguish sexual from asexual propagation and list two advantages and two limits of each

Set up a small cutting trial with 10 stem cuttings and record daily observations for five days

Identify the parts of a graft and explain why cambium contact decides graft success

Compare four propagation methods (cutting, layering, grafting, budding) on difficulty, time to saleable plant, and crop suitability

Describe nursery layout, bed types, and shade-net requirements for a small commercial nursery

List nursery hygiene practices that prevent damping-off and root rot, and justify each

Explain soil texture, structure, and pH, and state the pH range suited to most vegetable crops

Identify the three primary macronutrients and name two deficiency symptoms for each

Compare tropical, subtropical, and temperate fruit crops and place five Maharashtra crops in the correct group

Outline planting, training, and pruning schedules for mango, banana, and grapes

Distinguish biennial bearing from alternate bearing and state one management remedy

Group vegetables by family (solanaceous, cucurbitaceous, cruciferous, leguminous) and give two examples each

Prepare a season-wise vegetable calendar (kharif, rabi, summer) for your district with three crops per season

Interpret a soil test report and convert a recommended dose into fertiliser quantities for one crop

Explain fertigation and the role of organic matter in soil fertility

Identify five common insect pests by damage symptom and name one control measure for each

Distinguish fungal, bacterial, and viral disease symptoms and give one example of each

Classify weeds and explain one cultural, one mechanical, and one chemical weed-control method with a safety note on herbicide use

State the label-reading steps and waiting period rules before applying any pesticide

Classify ornamental plants into annuals, biennials, perennials, and bulbs, with two examples each

Describe production of one cut flower and one loose flower crop, including spacing and harvest stage

Explain the principles of landscape design: proportion, balance, rhythm, and focal point

Sketch a small home garden layout showing lawn, path, and three plant tiers

Compare formal and informal garden styles and name one Indian garden example of each

List maturity indices for three fruits and three vegetables and explain why each index is used

Describe grading, packaging, and cool-chain steps from farm to market for one perishable crop

Explain two value-addition products (for example jam and dried produce) with the key processing step and spoilage risk

Compare polyhouse, shade-net, and low-tunnel protected structures by crop and cost

Name four farm implements or machines used in horticulture and state the operation each performs

Prepare a simple cost-and-return estimate for a one-acre horticulture enterprise

Explain the roles of extension services, cooperatives, and market channels in selling produce

Revise weak topics flagged in earlier self-tests and rewrite notes into one-page summaries

Complete two full-length timed mock tests and review every wrong answer

Rehearse definitions from all domains aloud to confirm recall without notes