1. Introduction to Horticulture
Ag. 514

2. What is horticulture? Horticulture
is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings.
The word horticulture comes from the latin hortus or horti, meaning garden, and cultus, meaning to cultivate.

3. Arboriculture
Floriculture -
Landscape horticulture
Olericulture
Pomology
Viticulture
Oenology
Trees
Flowers
Landscape plants
Vegetables
Fruits
Grapes
All aspects of wine and wine making

4. The Importance of Plants
Without plants, life on earth could not exist
Plants are the primary source of food for humans and animals

5. The Importance of Plants cont.
Plants also:
Provide oxygen
Provide shade
Supply us with medicines
Renew the air
Slow down the wind
Hold soil in place
Are a home for wildlife
Furnish building materials and fuel

6. Parts of the Plant Most plants are made up of four basic parts: Leaves
Stems
Roots
Flowers (these later become fruit or seeds)

7. Leaves Are the food factory of the plant
They produce all of the food that is used by the plant and stored for later use by the plant or by animals

8. Leaves Come in All Shapes and Sizes!
Needles on an evergreen are actually very narrow leaves
The spines on a cactus are leaves
Some leaves are flat like blades of grass
Other leaves, like onion leaves, are cylindrical
The shape and size of leaves helps to identify plants

9. Leaf Cells Chloroplasts Photosynthesis Food making cells
Chlorophyll - green color
Photosynthesis
Process by which chloroplasts make food
The oxygen created is used directly by people and animals
Without O2 there would be no burning, rusting, or rotting

10. 6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2
Photosynthesis
LIGHT
6H2O + 6CO > C6H12O6+ 6O2
Six molecules of water plus six molecules of carbon dioxide in the presence of light produce one molecule of sugar plus six molecules of oxygen

11. Plant Food Food made in the leaves moves down the stem to the roots
It is then used by the plant or stored in the roots or stem as sugar, starch, or protein
The plant is also used as food for people and animals
The leaves are usually the most nutritious part

13. Respiration Plants breathe 24/7 They consume CO2 and release O2
Roots, stems, and leaves all need O2 to grow
Plants produce more O2 during photosynthesis than they consume while breathing

14. Stems Stems have 2 main functions: The movement of materials
Movement of water and minerals from roots up towards the leaves
Movement of manufactured food from the leaves down to the roots
Support of the leaves and reproductive structures
Flowers and fruit or seeds

15. Stems cont. Stems are also used for: Food storage Reproductive methods
Irish Potato
Reproductive methods
Stem cuttings or grafting
Green stems manufacture food just like leaves

16. Unique Stems Irish Potato & Gladiolus Very different stems
Stems are used for food storage and plant reproduction
                            

17. What do we do with Stems? Food Building Materials Asparagus
Irish Potato
Celery
Building Materials
Wood

18. Roots Usually underground – not visible Functions:
Anchor the plant and hold it upright*
Absorb water and minerals from the soil & conduct them to the stem*
Store large quantities of plant food*
Propagate or reproduce in some plants
* = essential to all plants

19. Root Propagation Plants with tuberous roots:
Dahlia
Peony
Sweet Potato
Are propagated by separating the root clump or by rooting spouts from the root

20. Roots as Crops Cash crops Carrots Beets Radishes Sweet Potatoes
Sugar Beets - Sugar
Radishes
Sweet Potatoes

21. Flowers, Fruits, & Seeds
Flowers are pretty & contain nectar in order to attract insects
These insects fertilize the flower by pollination
Pollination begins fruit and seed formation
                                

23. Flowers are Important! Many plants are grown only for their flowers
Floriculture industry in a multimillion dollar business!!!

24. Flower Construction
Insects looking for nectar have to climb over the anther and brush pollen on their legs
As they climb towards the center looking for food, they deposit pollen on the stigma

25. Pollen

26. Fruits & Seeds
Fruits and seeds are eaten, collected, and spread out by animals and people
This reproduces the plant

27. Monocots vs. Dicots