Agronomy vs Horticulture
Agriculture, farming, horticulture, agronomy, etc. are some of the words that are used to describe the process involved in preparing the land for raising and cultivating plants and crops. Of these, the two terms that are most confusing for laymen are agronomy and horticulture though many people remember horticulture as they associate it with gardening. Despite many similarities as both agronomy and horticulture are practices that deal with cultivation of plants on land, there are enough differences between these two sciences that will be highlighted in this article.
Agronomy
Agronomy is a science that deals with growing of crops in a much more holistic manner than ordinary agriculture. The essence of agronomy is to be more effective and efficient with agricultural practices. Agronomists are concerned with improving cultivation practice to increase profits of farmers while at the same time conserving the atmosphere and the nutrients in the soil. The term agronomy comes from the Greek Agro that means field and nomo that means to manage. The science includes looking at the properties of the soil in which seeds are sown and the interaction of soil with the plants. It is meant to improve productivity of farmers but keeps an eye on the ways in which crops are grown. It also studies climate and factors that affect crops. It teaches how to control weeds and pests to enhance the produce of a crop. Agronomists are scientists who are mostly concerned with soil quality and properties and how to improve the yield for the farmers while conserving the environment at the same time.
Horticulture
Horticulture is the science and art of growing plants intensively on a scale smaller than agriculture. You eat fruits and vegetables courtesy horticulture. It is a practice that focuses more upon values added crops than grains and cereals. Ornamental plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables nuts etc. are grown in small patches of land using horticultural practices. Horticulture can be practiced at home as in gardening, or it can be extremely huge as in the case of a multinational company growing fruits or vegetables for human consumption across the world. There are plants that are grown for their beauty or ornamental nature.
Branch of horticulture dealing with fruits is called pomology while the branch that deals with vegetables is called olericulture. Horticultural branch that deals exclusively with flowers is called floriculture. There is also landscape horticulture that deals with design and maintenance of nurseries in homes and businesses. It is also concerned with designing pathways rest and recreation areas, public parks, golf course, and so on.
Horticulture vs Agronomy
Agronomy is a science of looking at the cultivation of crops in a holistic manner. It is a generic term that includes all practices that improve the yield and quality of crops while at the same time conserving the environment and the quality of the soil.
Horticulture is the practice of growing ornamental plants, fruits and vegetable on many different scales from gardens in homes and huge fields for MNC’s. Horticulture has branched out into different categories such as cultivation of flowers, cultivation of ornamental plants, growing of fruits, growing of vegetables, design and construction of gardens and public parks, and so on.