BSc Horticulture Science: Course Details, Colleges, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

BSc Horticulture is an undergraduate programme for 3 years focused on the science of cultivating and managing plants and crop management. The course offers a broad scope in areas like Crop Production, Plant Conservation, Landscape Restoration, Soil Management, Arboriculture, etc. 

• For a BSc Horticulture Science degree, candidates must have qualified 10+2 in Science background with Biology as major. 
• Admission to this course is either merit-based or entrance based. 
• Some universities conduct university-level entrance exams or may consider state level exams for admission to the BSc Horticulture Science programme.

What is BSc Horticulture?

The BSc Horticulture deals with plant breeding including conventional and hybrid methods. It covers subjects related to plant nutrition, pesticides, plant pathology, crop management, and fertilizers.

The course majorly teaches about flowering plants, medicinal plants, crops, and fruit-vegetables producing plants. Apart from plant study, it also discusses the soil preparation, soil quality, and soil requirement for the specific types of plant.

Along with the plant and soil science, BSc Horticulture also teaches agro-marketing, crop management, and farm management that prepares students to manage and run any agricultural farm successfully.

Why Pursue BSc in Horticulture Science

BSc Horticulture Science imparts knowledge regarding plant breeding that helps in any kind of plant/agricultural research and breeding improvement.

• The course ensures a stable career in Agro products manufacturing companies.
• One can establish a startup for biofertilizer production that improves crop quality.
• This course offers a vast opportunity for government jobs such as Field Officer, Extension Officer, and Specialist Officer in Forest.
• It opens the door for agriculture research for those who wish to work on advancements in plant science and cultivation techniques. 

BSc Horticulture Science Eligibility

Minimum eligibility criteria for BSc Horticulture Science degree is 50% marks in 12th grade.

Candidates must have studied Biology at 10+2 level. Some universities may conduct entrance exam as a part of the selection process. Therefore, students have to qualify the cut-off score in such tests.

BSc Horticulture Science Admission Process

Admission in Bsc Horticulture is generally on the basis of 12th merit and application is through online admission portal of the institutes. Here is the basic online process followed by most colleges for admission. 

• Visit the official website of the chosen institute.
• Check the admission guidelines and selection criteria.
• Fill the application form with required information and upload the supportive documents.
• Pay the registration fees.
• Appear in the entrance exam, if applicable.
• Wait for the merit release and confirmation from the institute.

 BSc Horticulture Science Best Colleges in India

There are several government and private colleges/universities offering this course with theory and practical sessions along with the field work.

The table below represents some of the best colleges for BSc Horticulture Science

BSc Horticulture Subjects

BSc Horticulture subjects majorly includes plant biology, genetics, breeding, propagation, pest and disease management, soil science, and irrigation as core compulsory subjects. Apart from these, there are certain electives and remedial subjects or bridge courses for students to undertake as suggested by UGC and ICAR.

The table below represents the entire course curriculum for BSc Horticulture Science designed for State Agricultural Universities of Maharashtra.

Career Options & Future Scope

There are a plethora of career options after completing BSc Horticulture Science. For instance, one can explore Agriculture research by pursuing higher studies, work as horticulturist, farm manager, agricultural consultant, etc.

• Students wish to pursue higher studies like MSc Horticulture and PhD Horticulture or Agriculture area.
• Those seeking government employment can prepare for a competitive exam for civil services in Agriculture.

BSc Horticulture Jobs

One can find a job in academics or industries where agro products are manufactured. Some popular BSc Horticulture jobs are mentioned below.

• Horticulturist: They work with fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. Their responsibility is to cultivate, propagate, and manage those plants/crops. 
• Farm Manager: They Oversee the day-to-day operations of farms, including crop planning, supervision of farm workers, and financial management.
• Agricultural Consultant: Their job is to advise farmers, agribusinesses, and government agencies on best practices in farming, resource management, and the adoption of new technologies.
• Extension Officer: They work as an intermediary between farmers and researchers to provide education and resources to improve agricultural practices. 

BSc Horticulture Salary

A BSc Horticulture graduate can expect an initial salary around INR 2 to 4 LPA. It further increases up to INR 5 to 7 LPA with mid-level positions, depending on the position, experience, industry type, and location.

With years of experience and expertise, one gets paid as high as INR 10 to 12 LPA as per the government pay scale policy for Agriculture and Farming Industries.

BSc Horticulture Science Vs. BSc Agriculture

Although both, BSc Horticulture and BSc Agriculture deals with plant, soil, and farming studies, there are certain differences in these two specializations. A comparison between these two courses is given below.

BSc Horticulture FAQs