Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
An Introductory Perspective to Horticulture:
Plants for People and Places
Geoffrey R. Dixon and David E. Aldous
Abstract
Horticulture is “the first of all the arts and sciences”. This definition indi-
cates both the breadth and depth of the discipline and its early inception as mankind
changed from being hunter-gatherers to cultivators. Intensive crop production which
is a form of horticulture preceded more extensive agricultural practices. From that
time onwards the intricate involvement of horticulture in man's life has become very
apparent by its multitude of applications and the interests of those involved. These
extend from the provision of foodstuffs and nutritional benefits through pharmaceu-
ticals to aspects of rest and relaxation onto encouraging physical and mental well-
being. Horticulture is therefore, a discipline with many components and as such
that it can mean different things in the varying context of its use. This chapter intro-
duces the meanings of horticulture as expressed by the authors who have contributed
to this Trilogy of topics. They have analysed in considerable depth “Horticulture”
as expressed in its facets of production, environment and society. Horticulture has
impact and expression in each of these fields of human activity. This chapter also sets
Horticulture into the wider context of the world of plants and their intensive cultiva-
tion both in their use by mankind and in the natural world. The aim is to demonstrate
the depth and breadth of human activity associated with this discipline for it stretches
from crop production, through landscape design and maintenance and into aspects
of society and its expression in the arts and humanities. Horticulture touches almost
every aspect of human activity. Increasingly Horticulture has significant importance
in contributing towards the mitigation of the major problems which now face life
on Earth such as:- climate change, food security, the loss of natural biodiversity,
pollution, resource erosion and over-population. Indeed despite or perhaps because
of its antiquity and therefore its strong connection between science, technology and
practice horticulture can offer solutions that might allude other disciplines.
