Pharmacognosy

Horticulture and Forest Science

Forestry and horticulture are actually two interrelated subjects. Both study plants and their management, but from different perspectives. Horticulture is the art and science of cultivation of particular types of plants like fruits, flowers, nuts, vegetables, turf and berries. It involves crop breeding, plant propagation, plant biology and genetic engineering. There may be several specializations under horticulture like landscape gardening, arboriculture, floriculture, commercial horticulture (growing and selling of flowering and ornamental plants), pomoculture, viticulture etc.

Forestry is another branch of plant management. It is the art and science of management, protection and utilization of forests and plantations. It devises ways of creating and maintaining forest systems that can ultimately become a sustainable system of management. It also includes silviculture and harvesting of forest products for commercial purposes. In view of rapid deforestation, aspects of forestry like social forestry and commercial forestry have gained huge importance. In addition, the principles of forest management are also applied to managing major plantations like rubber and sugarcane.