Urban and Peri Urban Horticulture
Course Overview
Official detailed syllabus from the ICAR Sixth Deans’ Committee curriculum.
Course Objectives
1. To acquaint the students about the unban and peri-urban horticulture and its types.
2. To impart the knowledge about the cultivation practices of horticultural crops in urban and peri-urban areas.
Theory Syllabus
Introduction to urban and peri-urban horticulture: Definition, importance, characteristics and scope. Types of urban and peri-urban gardens and their characteristics: Terrace gardening, vegetable gardening, container gardening, rooftop gardens, community gardens, vertical gardens, hydroponics and aeroponics. Selection of site, planting material, media (soil and soilless) preparation and nutrient management for cultivation of vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers and ornamental plants. Protected cultivation in urban and peri-urban areas. Making and maintenance of lawns. Interior and exterior landscaping in urban and peri-urban households. Water and waste management, waste water recycling and its use in landscaping. Insect-pest and disease management in urban horticulture.
Practical Syllabus
Site selection and layout of various urban and peri-urban gardens. Preparation of growing media and potting mixtures. Types of containers, nursery raising and planting for rooftop gardens. Irrigation and nutritional management in urban and peri-urban horticulture. Visit to fruit nutrition garden, vegetable kitchen garden and public gardens.
Suggested Readings
1. Alka Singh, Patel N L and Ahlawat T R. 2016. Handbook of Urban and Periurban Horticulture (1st Edn.). Ambica Publisher.
2. Sumangla H P, Malhotra S K and Chowdappa P. 2013. Urban and Peri-urban Horticulture- A Perspective.