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What is the difference between horticulture and agriculture? This is a question that is often asked, and there is no easy answer. Both horticulture and agriculture are important parts of the food production process, but they have different focus.
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Horticulture
Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of growing plants. It includes the cultivation of medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and non-timber forest products.
Definition
Horticulture is the science and art of growing plants (fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants) in the home or in artificial environments such as greenhouses. The word horticulture comes from the Latin words hortus (garden) and colere (to till).
Agriculture is the science and art of growing crops for human or animal consumption. The word agriculture comes from the Latin words ager (field) and colere (to till).
History
Horticulture is an ancient practice that dates back to at least 6,000 BC when people began growing and using plants for food, medicine, and other purposes. Agriculture, on the other hand, is a relatively recent development that emerged around 10,000 BC when people began domesticating plants and animals.
While horticulture and agriculture both involve the cultivation of plants, there are several key differences between the two practices. For one, horticulture generally refers to the cultivation of ornamental plants while agriculture typically involves the production of food crops. Horticulturists also typically have a much greater focus on individual plants than farmers do.
another key difference is that horticulture often relies on natural methods of plant propagation such as grafting and seed planting, while agriculture typically involves the use of more industrial methods such as cloning and artificial selection. Horticulturists also tend to use manual labor to a greater extent than farmers do.
While there are many differences between horticulture and agriculture, the two practices are often intertwined. For instance, many farmers grow ornamental plants on their property to sell at farmer’s markets or road-side stands. Similarly, many horticulturists grow food crops in their gardens or greenhouses.
Types of Horticulture
Not all horticultural crops are grown for food. Some are grown for medicinal purposes, some for cosmetics or perfumes, some for dyes and some for other industrial purposes. Other horticultural crops are grown as ornamental plants in gardens or parks. Still others are trophies, such as large flowering plants, trees or shrubs that are displayed indoors or outdoors.
Agriculture
Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of growing plants. It includes the cultivation of medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, and flowers. Agriculture, on the other hand, is the science and art of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.
Definition
The terms “horticulture” and “agriculture” are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. Horticulture is the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants. Agriculture, on the other hand, is the science and art of growing crops for food, feed, or fiber. In other words, horticulture deals with plants that are grown for aesthetics or pleasure, while agriculture deals with plants that are grown for practical purposes.
History
The terms “horticulture” and “agriculture” are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. Horticulture is the science and art of planting, growing, and caring for gardens and other cultivate plants, while agriculture is the science and art of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock. In other words, horticulture deals with smaller-scale gardening, while agriculture deals with large-scale farming.
Agriculture has been around for much longer than horticulture; the first evidence of agriculture dates back to about 10,000 BC in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East. Horticulture began to develop separately from agriculture around 5,000 BC in China; it then spread to Egypt and Greece. The Romans were particularly skilled at horticulture, and their methods were later adopted by medieval monks in Europe. By the 17th century, horticulture had become a well-established practice in Europe and North America.
Types of Agriculture
There are two types of agriculture: horticulture and agriculture. Horticulture is the cultivation of plant life for aesthetic purposes, while agriculture is the cultivation of plant life for food purposes. The main difference between these two types of agriculture is the type of plants being cultivated. Horticulture generally deals with fruits, vegetables, and flowers, while agriculture deals with crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans.
Difference Between Horticulture and Agriculture
Horticulture is the science and art of growing flowers, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Agriculture, on the other hand, is the science and art of cultivating the land to raise crops. Both horticulture and agriculture are important for food security and human survival. However, there are some key differences between the two.
Soil
The major difference between horticulture and agriculture is that horticulture deals with the cultivation of small-sized plants whereas agriculture deals with the cultivation of large-sized plants. Apart from this, horticulture is done for commercial purposes while agriculture is done for subsistence purposes.
The type of plants grown in horticulture are fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants while the type of plants grown in agriculture are cereals, grains, oilseeds, pulses, and fibers. Horticulturists need to have a detailed knowledge about the plant species they are dealing with; this is not the case with agriculturists.
When it comes to soil, horticulturists need well-drained soils rich in organic matter for the successful cultivation of their crops. On the other hand, agriculturists can grow their crops in a wide range of soils including both well-drained and poorly drained soils.
Crops
Crops are generally grown in agricultural fields and include cereals, grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Horticulture crops are typically grown in gardens and include flowers, ornamentals, and landscape plants. Both horticulture and agriculture are important parts of food production and have been practiced for thousands of years.
Equipment
Both agriculturists and horticulturists use similar types of equipment. Tractors, plows, harvesters, and other machines are common in both industries. The main difference in equipment is the size. Agricultural equipment is generally much larger than horticultural equipment. This is because the scale of farming operations is much larger than the scale of horticultural operations.
