Horticultural and Botanical Classification

This study material provides a comprehensive overview of the classification systems used in horticulture, including the horticultural and botanical classification of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices. It covers classification based on climatic requirements, botanical relationships, ripening behavior, growth habits, photoperiod requirements, salinity tolerance, plant parts used, economic importance, and more. The material is structured for easy reference and is suitable for students and professionals in horticulture.

Introduction

India is rich in plant diversity, with 356 domestic species of economic importance. Over 50 types of fruits, vegetables, spices, and plantation crops are cultivated commercially. To manage this diversity, plants are classified into groups based on similarities and differences in their properties. Classification helps streamline cultivation practices and facilitates agricultural management.

Classification of Fruits

I. Based on Climatic Requirement

• Temperate Fruits: Apple, Pear, Peach, Almond, Walnut, Plum, Apricot, Pecan nut, Hazelnut, Cherry, Strawberry, etc.
• Tropical Fruits: Mango, Guava, Banana, Pineapple, Sapota, Jackfruit, Papaya, Custard Apple, Carambola, Persimmon, Coconut, Cashew, etc.
• Sub-Tropical Fruits: Fig, Ber, Pomegranate, Date palm, Citrus, Phalsa, Loquat, Litchi, Karonda, Grape, Beal, Aonla, Avocado, etc.

II. Botanical Classification of Fruit

III. Based on Ripening Behaviour

• Climacteric Fruits: Show a sharp rise in respiration after harvesting.
  Examples: Mango, Banana, Custard Apple, Fig, Peach, Guava, Papaya, Apple, Sapota, Pear, Plum, Jackfruit, Passion Fruit.
• Non-climacteric Fruits: Show steady respiration at the time of harvesting.
  Examples: Citrus, Grapes, Pomegranate, Litchi, Ber, Pineapple, Jamun, Cashew, Cherry, Strawberry.

IV. Based on Fruit Type

• Berry: Banana, Papaya, Grape, Sapota, Kiwi, Arecanut, Avocado, Date palm, Guava
• Pome: Apple, Pear, Quince, Loquat
• Drupe/Stone: Plum, Mango, Peach, Ber, Coconut, Cherry, Cocoa, Coffee, Jamun, Almond, Apricot
• Hesperidium: Citrus
• Nut: Litchi, Cashew nut, Walnut, Chestnut, Pecanut, Rambutan
• Capsule: Aonla, Carambola
• Aggregate Fruits / Eteario of berries: Raspberry, Custard Apple, Blackberry, Strawberry
• Psorosis: Pineapple, Jackfruit, Mulberry, Breadfruit
• Syconus: Fig

V. Based on Continuation of Growth

• Evergreen: Mango, Citrus, Litchi, Sapota, etc.
• Deciduous: Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum, Apricot, etc.

VI. Based on Nature of Growth

• Herbaceous: Banana, Pineapple, Strawberry
• Shrubaceous: Karonda, Phalsa, Pomegranate
• Woody/Tree: Mango, Ber, Sapota, Jamun, Guava, Pear, Peach, Apple, Jackfruit, etc.
• Climber: Grapes, Kiwi, etc.

VII. Based on Photoperiod Requirement

• Short day plant: Require day length less than 12 hours.
  Examples: Strawberry, Pineapple, Coffee
• Long day plant: Require day length of 12 hours or more.
  Examples: Plaintain, Passion Fruit, Apple
• Day neutral plants: Not affected by day length.
  Examples: Papaya, Guava, Banana

VIII. Based on Salinity Tolerance

Classification of Vegetables

I. Based on Botanical Relationship

II. Based on Life Cycle

• Annuals: Complete life cycle in one season.
  Examples: Broad bean, Lima bean, Watermelon, Musk melon, Indian spinach, Chinese cabbage, tomato, brinjal, etc.
• Biennial: Complete life cycle in two seasons.
  Examples: Cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, carrot, potato, etc.
• Perennial: Complete life cycle in more than two seasons.
  Examples: Artichoke, asparagus, chow chow, drumstick, etc.

III. Based on Parts Used

• Stem: Asparagus, Potato, Kholrabi (Knol-Khol)
• Leaves: Methi, Palak, Coriander, Amaranthus, Spinach, Cabbage
• Fruits: Tomato, Brinjal, Okra, Peas, Beans, Watermelon, Pumpkin, Chilies
• Flower: Cauliflower, Broccoli, Globe artichoke
• Underground portions:
  • Roots: Beetroot, Radish, Carrot
  • Tuber: Potato
  • Bulb: Onion, Garlic
  • Corm: Yam
  • Rhizome: Turmeric, Ginger
• Immature seed: Peas, Beans

IV. Method of Culture

V. Based on Photoperiod Requirements

• Short day vegetables: Sweet potato
• Long day vegetables: Flowering induced by longer periods.
  Examples: Spinach, beet, Chinese cabbage, Lettuce, Radish, etc.
• Day-neutral vegetables: Flowering induced by 10-18 hours or continuous illumination.
  Examples: Tomato, Squash, Pumpkin, Asparagus, Pepper, etc.

VI. Based on Growing Season

• Kharif: Cucurbitaceous vegetables (rainy season)
• Rabi: Root crops, Cole crops, Potato, Lettuce, etc. (October to February)
• Summer: Watermelon, muskmelon, etc. (February to May)

VII. Based on Methods of Raising

• Direct sown crops: Okra, Carrot, Radish, Beans, Peas, Garlic
• Transplanted crops: Tomato, Brinjal, Chilies, Cabbage, Cauliflower

VIII. Based on Rate of Respiration

Classification of Flowers / Annuals

I. Based on Growing Season

• Summer Season Annuals: Seed sowing February – March
  Examples: Zinnia, Tithonia, Gaillardia, Kochia, Portulaca, Gomphrena, Sunflower, Coreopsis, Cosmos
• Winter Season Annuals: Seed sowing September – October
  Examples: Aster, Larkspur, Sweet Sultan, Phlox, Poppy, Verbena, Nigella, Petunia, Candytuft
• Rainy Season Annuals: Seed sowing June- July
  Examples: Balsam, Amaranthus, Cock’s Comb, Gaillardia, Torenia

II. Based on Photoperiodic Requirement

• Short day: Poinsettia, Salvia, Primerose
• Long day: Calendula, Aster, Gardenia, Stock
• Day neutral: Carnation, Hibiscus

III. Based on Mode of Propagation

• Bulb: Lily, Narcissus, Tulip
• Corm: Gladiolus, Crocus
• Rhizomes: Canna, Iris
• Tubers: Dahlia
• Seed: Zinnia, Tithonia, Gaillardia, Kochia, Portulaca, Gomphrena, Sunflower, Coreopsis, Cosmos

IV. Based on Botanical Relationship

Classification of Spices

I. Based on Plant Parts Used

• Seed: Cumin, black cumin, fenugreek, coriander, fennel, ajowan, poppy, aniseed, mustard
• Bulb: Onion, garlic
• Bark: Cinnamon
• Fruit: Chilli, cardamom, allspice, kokum
• Leaf: Curry leaf, tejpata, rosemary
• Rhizome: Turmeric, ginger
• Pod: Vanilla, tamarind
• Kernel: Nutmeg
• Floral part: Saffron
• Bud: Clove
• Latex: Asfotida
• Aril: Mace, anardana
• Berry: Black pepper, juniper, allspice

II. Based on Economic Importance

• Major spices: Small cardamom, black pepper, chilli, turmeric, ginger (contribute 75-90% of total foreign exchange from spices)
• Minor spices: All other spices, further divided into:
  • Seed spices: Coriander, cumin, black cumin, fennel, aniseed, celery, mustard, poppy, caraway
  • Bulbous spices: Garlic, onion, leek, shallot
  • Aromatic spices: Clove, cinnamon, allspice, aniseed, nutmeg
  • Leafy spices: Curry leaf, mint, rosemary, bay leaf, parsley
  • Acidulent tree spices: Tamarind, kokam, anardana

III. Based on Climate Requirement

• Tropical spices: Require high temperature and humidity; damaged by low temperature.
  Examples: Ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, kokam, galangal, small cardamom, clove
• Subtropical spices: Grown in regions with winter, summer, and monsoon.
  Winter: Cumin, fennel, coriander, fenugreek, onion, garlic.
  Summer: Turmeric, ginger
• Temperate spices: Withstand low temperature and frost; damaged by heat.
  Examples: Thymes, saffron, savoy, caraway seed, asafoetida

IV. Based on Origin and Flavour

• Aromatic spices: Cardamom, aniseed, celery, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, cinnamon
• Pungent spices: Ginger, chilli, black pepper, mustard
• Phenolic spices: Clove, allspice
• Coloured spices: Turmeric, saffron, paprika

V. Based on Season of Growth

• Annual spices: Complete life cycle in one season.
  Examples: Coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, ajowan, black cumin
• Biennial spices: Complete life cycle in two seasons.
  Examples: Onion, parsley
• Perennial spices: Live for more than two years.
  Examples: Black pepper, saffron, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon

VI. Based on Botanical Description

References

1. Chadha, K.L. Handbook of Horticulture (2002) ICAR, New Delhi
2. Jitendra Singh Basic Horticulture (2011) Kalyani Publications, New Delhi
3. K.V.Peter Basics Horticulture (2009) New India Publishing Agency
4. Jitendra Singh Fundamentals of Horticulture, Kalyani Publications, New Delhi