Educational: The level of education that you need depends
upon the type of horticultural occupation that interest you and the rank
to which you wish to advance. Entry to this field starts from undergraduate
level. Candidates who have passed 10+2 in Science stream (class 12th)
with physics, chemistry and maths/biology/agriculture as the subjects
can opt for Bachelors degree in Horticulture as a separate discipline
or as a subject of B.Sc Agriculture Science. The same basic qualification
is required for doing diploma programme. After doing B.Sc in Horticulture
one can continue his/her further study in the field by doing M.Sc in Horticulture.
Post Graduates in Horticulture are eligible for M.Phil. For admission to Ph.D Program different agricultural universities
exercise different modes of admission. Most of the State Agriculture Universities
and ICAR Institutes conduct Entrance Examinations for Ph.D. admissions.
Horticulture courses include subject areas of plant propagation, plant
materials, tissue culture, crop production, post-harvest handling, plant
breeding, pollination management, crop nutrition, entomology, plant pathology,
economics, and business.
Personnel attributes: A love of nature and the outdoors
is essential for anyone interested in this field. Other personal qualities
depend on the specific career path you choose. If your area of interest
is research or teaching you require the ability to communicate, to provide
practical and factual information in simple language, patience and ability
to infuse enthusiasm for learning in students, work for long periods with
intense concentration, a keen analytical mind, and a strong scientific
bent, eye for detail etc. is essential. Advisory or supervisory work requires
ability to work on one's own as well as part of a team, ability to get
on well with people, as also tact and diplomacy. Horticulturists must
also have practical ability, good powers of observation to detect early
signs of disease in plants. In general, Horticulturists need to be curious
about the world around them and to be creative in solving problems.
