Introduction

The history of horticulture spans thousands of years and is intertwined with the development of human civilization. Horticulture that started off as basic farming has transformed into the horticulture that we see today due to the incorporation of various technological advancements, urbanization, environmental sustainability efforts, industrialization, globalization and so on. In this blog lets dive into how horticulture has boomed from the ancient times to the modern era.

Ancient Era

It originates from about 10,000 BCE when early humans began selecting and cultivating wild plants for food, leading to the domestication of crops like wheat, barley, rice and maize. Basic techniques such as seed selection, planting and irrigation were developed during this period. Then coming to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and China where sophisticated irrigation systems were developed to support large-scale agriculture and horticulture. They cultivated a variety of crops and ornamental plants such as date palms and lotus flowers. Ancient Chinese horticulture focused specifically on rice cultivation. Greek and Roman civilizations came on a little later compared to the other civilizations and contributed to horticultural knowledge through writings on gardening, landscape design and plant propagation. During the middle age, monasteries played a crucial role in preserving horticultural knowledge.

Modern Era

It began when global trade began along with the transfer of plants and horticultural knowledge. European exploration during this period led to the discovery of new plants and crops in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Further, the Industrial Revolution brought mechanization, chemical fertilizers and improved crop breeding techniques, revolutionizing horticultural practices. In the mid-20th century, the Green Revolution introduced high-yielding crop varieties, further transforming global agriculture and horticulture. Cut to now, from recent times, horticulture emphasizes on sustainable practices, organic farming and biotechnology to meet the challenges of environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

Throughout history, horticulture has evolved from basic farming to a sophisticated science and industry. It continues to play an important role in providing food and medicine while adapting to changing environmental and societal needs.