AGE 301 — Horticulture Education: Lecture Note

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AGE la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS

AGE la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: AGE 301 Course title: Horticulture Education Course credit load: 2 Units Series 1: Classification and Importance of Crops • Part 1.1: Definition and Scope of Horticulture o Sub Part 1.1.1: Definition and branches of horticulture o Sub Part 1.1.2: Distinction between horticulture and agronomy o Sub Part 1.1.3: Importance of horticulture to Nigeria • Part 1.2: Classification of Vegetable Crops o Sub Part 1.2.1: Botanical classification of vegetables o Sub Part 1.2.2: Classification by edible part o Sub Part 1.2.3: Classification by life cycle and temperature requirement • Part 1.3: Classification of Fruit Crops o Sub Part 1.3.1: Botanical classification of fruit crops o Sub Part 1.3.2: Classification by growth habit and climate o Sub Part 1.3.3: Minor and underutilised fruit crops in Nigeria • Part 1.4: Nutritive Value of Fruits and Vegetables o Sub Part 1.4.1: Macronutrients and micronutrients in fruits and vegetables o Sub Part 1.4.2: Nutritional composition of selected Nigerian fruits and vegetables o Sub Part 1.4.3: Role of fruits and vegetables in human health and diet

AGE la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Introduction Horticulture is one of the most diverse and economically significant branches of agriculture. It encompasses the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, and other high-value crops that contribute directly to human nutrition, health, aesthetics, and economic wellbeing. In Nigeria, horticultural crops form a critical part of the diet of over 220 million people and provide livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers, market traders, and agro-processors. This Series introduces the definition, scope, and branches of horticulture; explains how horticultural crops are classified by botanical family, edible part, life cycle, growth habit, and climatic requirement; and examines the nutritive value of fruits and vegetables in the human diet. A sound understanding of crop classification is essential for organising knowledge about production requirements, identifying plants in the field, and designing appropriate management systems. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define horticulture, describe its main branches, and distinguish it from agronomy (Linked to Part 1.1), • SLO 1.2 explain the importance of horticulture to Nigeria’s food security, nutrition, economy, and environment (Linked to Part 1.1), • SLO 1.3 classify vegetable crops by botanical family, edible part, life cycle, and temperature requirement, giving Nigerian examples (Linked to Part 1.2), • SLO 1.4 classify fruit crops by botanical family, growth habit, and climatic requirement, and identify important minor and underutilised fruits in Nigeria (Linked to Part 1.3), and • SLO 1.5 describe the macronutrient and micronutrient composition of important Nigerian fruits and vegetables and explain their roles in human health (Linked to Part 1.4).

AGE la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1 Definition and Scope of Horticulture 1.1.1 Definition and branches of horticulture Horticulture is derived from the Latin words hortus (garden) and cultura (cultivation); it is broadly defined as the science and art of growing, processing, and marketing fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, and other garden crops. Unlike broad-acre field crops (maize, sorghum, cassava), horticultural crops are typically grown in smaller areas with more intensive management, higher inputs, and higher value per unit area. Horticulture differs from other branches of agriculture in the diversity of crops, the intensity of cultivation, the perishability of the products, and the importance of aesthetic and nutritional quality. The four main branches of horticulture are: (1) Pomology (fruit science): the science of fruit cultivation, including tropical fruits (mango, citrus, pineapple, banana, plantain, pawpaw), temperate fruits (apple, grape, pear), and nuts (cashew, kola, groundnut as a botanical legume-nut). (2) Olericulture (vegetable science): the science of vegetable production, including leaf vegetables (fluted pumpkin, waterleaf, African nightshade), fruit vegetables (tomato, pepper, okra, garden egg), root vegetables (carrot, radish, sweet potato), and bulb vegetables (onion, garlic). (3) Floriculture (flower and ornamental science): the science of growing flowers, ornamental foliage plants, and decorative plant products for cut flowers, potted plants, and landscape use. (4) Landscape horticulture: the design, installation, and maintenance of outdoor and indoor plant environments, including lawn management, garden design, and urban green infrastructure. Fill in the blank: Horticulture is derived from the Latin words hortus (garden) and cultura (cultivation); its four main branches are pomology (fruit science), ________ (vegetable science), floriculture (flower and ornamental science), and landscape horticulture. 1.1.2 Distinction between horticulture and agronomy Agronomy is the science and practice of producing field (arable) crops and managing soils for crop production; it primarily deals with large-scale, extensive production of staple food and fibre crops such as maize, sorghum, rice, cassava, cowpea, and cotton. Horticulture, by contrast,

AGE la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS focuses on high-value crops typically grown in smaller areas with greater intensity of management. Key distinctions: (1) Scale of production: agronomy involves large-scale, extensive systems (1 to hundreds of hectares per enterprise); horticulture typically involves small plots (0.1 to 5 ha for smallholders; larger for commercial operations), intensive management, and high input use per unit area. (2) Crop diversity: agronomy focuses on a relatively small number of staple crops; horticulture encompasses hundreds of vegetable, fruit, flower, and ornamental species. (3) Product nature: agronomic crops are generally storable, durable commodities (grains, tubers); horticultural products are mostly perishable, fresh, or semi-processed, requiring cold chain logistics and rapid marketing. (4) Economic value: horticultural crops typically have a much higher value per hectare than staple crops; tomatoes at N3 to 5 million per ha compared to N500,000 to 800,000 per ha for maize in the same region. (5) Management intensity: horticulture requires more frequent irrigation, fertilisation, pest and disease management, staking, pruning, and harvesting operations than agronomy. (6) Labour requirement: horticultural crops are generally more labour-intensive than field crops; they contribute significantly to rural employment in vegetable-producing areas of Nigeria (Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, and Ogun states). Both disciplines share soil science, plant physiology, genetics, and pest management, and many Nigerian farmers practise both on the same farm. Fill in the blank: Horticultural crops are typically grown in ________ areas with more intensive management and command a higher value per hectare than agronomic staple crops; tomatoes, for example, may yield N3 to 5 million per ha compared with N500,000 to 800,000 per ha for maize. 1.1.3 Importance of horticulture to Nigeria Horticulture contributes to Nigeria in multiple dimensions: (1) Food security and nutrition: fruits and vegetables supply essential vitamins (A, C, B-complex), minerals (iron, calcium, potassium), dietary fibre, and antioxidants that are absent or inadequate in staple-grain-dominated diets; they are critical to addressing hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiency) which affects approximately 30 to 40 percent of Nigerian children under five. (2) Income and livelihoods: horticultural crops provide higher returns per unit area than most staple crops; they are a major income source for

AGE la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS urban and peri-urban smallholder farmers, particularly women vegetable growers in the fadama systems of northern Nigeria and the garden city systems of the south. (3) Employment: vegetable and fruit production, marketing, processing, and distribution employ millions of people along the value chain; Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt vegetable markets are among the largest employers in their cities. (4) Export earnings: Nigeria exports cashew nuts (approximately 180,000 to 200,000 tonnes annually; major export crop to Vietnam, India, and Europe), sesame seeds, ginger, chilli pepper, and fresh vegetables to regional markets; horticultural export diversification is a key national agricultural policy objective. (5) Agro-industrial raw materials: tomatoes, peppers, onions, and citrus supply the food processing industry (tomato paste, hot sauce, fruit juice, essential oils); mangoes, pineapples, and plantains supply export-oriented processing companies. (6) Environmental and aesthetic values: urban gardens, parks, and ornamental plantings improve air quality, reduce urban heat island effects, and contribute to mental health and wellbeing of city residents. (7) Health and pharmacology: many Nigerian horticultural plants have documented medicinal properties (bitter leaf, moringa, African basil, lemon grass), supporting the traditional medicine sector and pharmaceutical raw material supply. Fill in the blank: Nigeria exports approximately 180,000 to 200,000 tonnes of ________ nuts annually, making it one of Africa’s major exporters; other important Nigerian horticultural exports include ginger, sesame seeds, chilli pepper, and fresh vegetables. Pilot questions 1.1 1. Define horticulture and name and briefly describe its four main branches. 2. Distinguish between horticulture and agronomy under four headings. 3. State four ways in which horticulture is important to Nigeria’s food security and economy. 4. Name two horticultural crops that are important Nigerian export commodities and state their main export markets. 5. Explain why horticultural crops are considered to address hidden hunger in Nigeria.

AGE la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.2 Classification of Vegetable Crops 1.2.1 Botanical classification of vegetables A vegetable is any herbaceous plant or plant part that is eaten raw or cooked as part of the main meal

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