92 Horticulture Today Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
When
you reach into your backpack to pull out your lunch, you rarely
think about much more than the fact that you are hungry or that it is time to
eat. Take a moment and think about the fresh fruits and vegetables in your
lunch, Figure 4-1. Where did they come from? Who is responsible for their
journey from the farm to your fork? The person responsible is a horticulturist.
Horticulture is the science, art, technology, and business of plant cultivation.
A horticulturist is a person who specializes in this area, and who may raise
everything from fl owers to potatoes to apples. Horticulturists grow some
plants for food and some for landscaping or other aesthetic purposes.
Horticulturists nurture plants in homes, businesses, gardens, parks,
highways, and even laboratories. Wherever you see a plant that is
purposefully grown, you can almost bet it has been touched by a
horticulturist’s green thumb at some point in its development. This
chapter will help you understand what horticulture is, who horticulturists
are, and what types of horticulture careers are available.
What Is Plant Science?
Horticulturists usually have a background that includes
knowledge in various areas of plant science. Plant science is the
study of plant growth, reproduction, and adaptation as well as
the use of plants for food, fi ber, and ornamental purposes. Areas
of plant science include the following:
• Botany is the scientifi c study of plants, including their
structure, genetics, ecology, classifi cation, and economic
importance.
• Agronomy is the science and technology of cultivating
crops for food, fi ber, and fuel.
• Forestry is the science or practice of planting, managing,
restoring, and caring for forests.
• Horticulture is the science, art, technology, and business
of plant cultivation (including fruits, vegetables, fl owers,
turfgrass, and ornamentals).
Each of the applied plant sciences involves specifi c
education and experiences.
Botany
Botany, or plant biology, is a branch of biology and is known
as the foundation of plant science. A botanist studies plant
sciences and is sometimes called a plant scientist. The science of
botany can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, but
it was not until the sixteenth century that it truly began to fl ourish.
This was mainly due to the work of physicians and herbalists who
were studying plants to identify those useful in medicine. Training
in botany was even part of the medical curriculum.
Rob Hainer/Shutterstock.com
Figure 4-1. The fresh fruits and vegetables
we eat everyday are the “fruits of labor”
of people working in the horticulture
industry. A horticulturist is responsible for
the health of plants and trees as well as
the processing and shipping of fruits and
vegetables he grows. Take a moment and
think about the foods you ate for breakfast
or lunch today. How many people were
involved in their production?