Horticultural Botany

Horticultural botany is the branch of botany that focuses on the cultivation, breeding, and care of plants for ornamental and agricultural purposes. It is an important field of study, as it deals with the evaluation, improvement and conservation of plants, while taking into account the environmental factors that might affect them. Horticultural botany applies the principles of genetics and other sciences to create a better understanding of plant evolution, diversity, and development. Through this knowledge, it provides the means to select and breed plants that produce better yields, are disease resistant, and develop higher quality fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. This increased knowledge also has the potential to improve crop management, pest and disease control, and conserve native plants and their environment.