About the Department

The Department of Horticulture focuses on the science and art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinal and ornamental plants. Our program blends theory with hands-on field training to prepare students for careers in production, research, landscaping, and agribusiness.

Programs Offered

B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture – 4-year undergraduate program covering crop production, post-harvest management, protected cultivation, and nursery management.

Key Areas of Study

• Fruit Science & Vegetable Science: Cultivation, breeding, and management of horticultural crops suited to Tamil Nadu conditions.
• Floriculture & Landscaping: Commercial flower production, garden design, and urban landscaping.
• Plantation, Spices & Medicinal Crops: Sustainable production of high-value crops.
• Post-Harvest Technology:Storage, processing, and value addition to reduce losses.
• Protected Cultivation:Polyhouse, shade net, and hydroponic systems for year-round production.
• Nursery & Tissue Culture: Plant propagation techniques and modern nursery management.

Facilities & Learning Resources

• Instructional Farm: Field plots for fruits, vegetables, and flowers for practical training.
• Polyhouse & Shade Net Units: Hands-on exposure to protected cultivation.
• Nursery Unit: Seedling production, grafting, and budding practice.
• Soil & Plant Testing Lab: Soil health analysis and nutrient management.
• Post-Harvest Lab:Processing and preservation techniques.

Career Opportunities

Graduates work as:

• Horticulture Officers in State/Central Government
• Farm Managers & Agri-Entrepreneurs
• Nursery and Landscape Consultants
• Quality Control & Post-Harvest Executives
• Researchers and Academicians
• Eligible for UGC NET, ICAR JRF/SRF, and competitive exams

Why Horticulture at Pushkaram?

1. Practical Focus:60% of learning is field and lab-based..
2. Industry Exposure: Field visits, internships, and guest lectures from experts.
3. Student Projects: Hands-on projects in nursery management and protected cultivation.
4. Local Relevance:Curriculum aligned with crops and agro-climatic conditions of Pudukkottai region.