Updated October 18, 2022
BSc Horticulture or Bachelor of Science in Horticulture is a three years undergraduate degree course that involves the study of cultivating and managing horticulture crops that include vegetables, cereals, fruits, orchids, and various ornamental plants. It also imparts deep knowledge of product marketing, farming management, pest control, etc.
The candidates who want to pursue the BSc Horticulture Science course must have completed 12th in science background with subject combination of PCB from recognized board. They must have scored the minimum aggregate of 50% in their 12th Board examination. However, the required percentage may vary from institution to institution.
The admission to Bachelor of Science in Horticulture course is merit- or entranced-based. Some universities grant admission to the program through various state or university level entrance exams like HORTICET, CGPAT, UPCATET, etc. And some colleges provide direct admission based on the merit obtained by students in their class 12th examination.
BSc Horticulture Course Details
Tabulated below are the major highlights of the Bachelor of Science in Horticulture program. So just check out the essential aspects of the program.
| Course Name | BSc Horticulture |
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Science in Horticulture |
| Education Level | Undergraduate |
| Course Type | Degree Program |
| Duration of the Course | Three years |
| Educational Qualification Required | 12th in Science Stream with PCB / PCMB |
| Admission Process | Merit and Entrance Based |
| Examination Pattern | Semester Wise |
| Annual Fee Range | INR 15,000 to 150,000 |
| Average Salary Range | INR 4,00,000 to 10,00,000 |
| Job Options | Marketing Managers, Gardeners, Plant Breeders, Agricultural Researchers, etc. |
| Employment Areas | Agrochemicals, Agriculture Research Laboratories, Orchids, etc. |
B.Sc Horticulture Eligibility Criteria
The candidates who want to pursue BSc in Horticulture must fulfill specific eligibility criteria, which are mentioned below.
- The candidates must have completed 12th in science steam with subject combination of Physics, Chemistry & Biology or Physics, Chemistry, Biology & Mathematics.
- They should have scored the minimum aggregate of 50% marks in their 12th Board Examination. However, the minimum aggregate required may differ from institution to institution.
BSc Horticulture Admission Process
The admission to BSc Horticulture Course is made in two ways, either merit-based or entrance-based. These two processes have been discussed below in detail.
- Merit-Based– In merit-based admission, the institutions provide direct admission to the program considering the marks obtained by the candidates in their 12th Board Examination.
- Entranced Based– In Entranced based admission, the institutions provide admission to the course considering the performance of the candidates in various state and university level entrance tests, followed by counseling sessions and personal interviews.
BSc Horticulture Science Entrance Exams
Several state and university-level entrance exams are conducted for granting admission to the BSc Horticulture Science course. Some of the popular exams for the program are mentioned below.
- CGPAT (Chhattisgarh Pre-Agriculture Test)
- HORTICET (Horticulture Common Entrance Test)
- UPCATET (Uttar Pradesh Combine Agricultural and Technology Entrance Test)
- BCECE Agriculture (Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination for Agriculture)
- TSEAMCET (Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test)
Breakdown of B.Sc Horticulture Syllabus
The table below shows the semester-wise breakdown of the syllabus for the Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Course. So, checkout below to know what is taught in the BSc Horticulture program.
Particulars of Bachelor’s in Horticulture Science
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Crop physiology | Principles of Genetics |
| Plant propagation | Plant-parasitic Nematode |
| Communication skills | Fundamentals of Statistics |
| Introduction to soil science | Introductory Microbiology |
| Fundamentals of horticulture | Tropical and Subtropical Fruits |
| Tropical and subtropical vegetables | Elements of Computer Application |
| Fundamentals of extension education | Fundamentals of Food Technology |
| Growth development of horticulture crops | Fundamentals of Food Technology |
| Water Management in Horticulture Crops | |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Tuber Crops | Spices |
| Biochemistry | Soil Science I |
| Temperate Fruits | Insect Ecology |
| Temper ate Vegetables | Plantation Crops |
| Ornamental Horticulture | Breeding of Fruits |
| Principles of Plant Breeding | Mushroom Culture |
| Fundamentals of Entomology | Orchard Management |
| Environmental Science | |
| Commercial Floriculture | |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Apiculture | Remote Sensing |
| Organic Farming | Seed Production |
| Introductory Agroforestry | Medicinal and Aromatic Plants |
| Post-harvest Management | Entrepreneurship Development |
| Breeding and Seed Production | Processing of Horticulture Crops |
| Principles of Plant Biotechnology | Horticulture business management |
| Introduction of Major Field Crops |
Top B.Sc Horticulture Science Colleges
India is home to many colleges and universities which offer a BSc in Horticulture program. Agriculture and Horticulture Universities mainly offer the BSc Horticulture course, and some of the major ones are listed below.
- Shivaji University, Maharashtra
- Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur
- University of Horticultural Science, Karnataka
- Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, West Bengal
- Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh
- Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu
- University of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, Karnataka
- Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttar Pradesh
- Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand
BSc Horticulture Career Options Future Scope
From starting own business to opting for different work profiles, various employment options are available to the candidates after completing BSc Horticulture Course. Graduates are recruited in employment areas like Agrochemicals, Agriculture Research Laboratories, Orchids, etc.
Apart from exploring employment opportunities, the candidates can join advanced courses like Master of Science in Horticulture, MSc Agriculture, and other relevant courses. They can also opt for management courses MBA Product Management, MBA Marketing Management, MBA Farm Management. These courses help the graduates in securing higher job opportunities.
Popular BSc Horticulture Job Profiles
The BSc Horticulture graduates can explore jobs in areas like government organizations, research labs, plantations, and even schools. We have listed below some of the popular job profiles after the BSc Horticulture course.
- Gardener
- Horticulturist
- Plant Breeder
- Plant Geneticist
- Nursery Manager
- Research Scientist
- Food Technologist
- Academic professional
- Agricultural Researcher
- Product Marketing Manager
Graduates with BSc Horticulture Salary in India
The average salary package offered to BSc Horticulture graduates ranges between 4 to 10 lakh per annum, depending on their job profile experience and skillset. However, the institution where the candidates have obtained their degree also plays a crucial part in determining the salary package. Listed are some of the top job profiles after Master of Science in Horticulture with their salary trend.
- Teacher:- INR 6 Lakh Per Annum
- Gardener:- INR 4 Lakh Per Annum
- Plant Breeder:- INR 5 Lakh Per Annum
- Agricultural Researcher:- INR 7 Lakh Per Annum
- Product Marketing Manager:- INR 8 Lakh Per Annum
Mostly Asked Questions on Bachelor’s of Horticulture science
Ans:-Yes, Bachelor of Science in Horticulture is a good course for students interested in learning some special techniques and cultivation of plants like vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc.
Ans:- The salary package offered to BSc Horticulture candidates ranges between INR 4 to 7 lakh per annum. However, with some polishing of skillset, the candidates may get better salaries.
Ans:- The job roles a Bachelor’s in Horticulture Science graduate can be designated with are Project Manager, Designer, Horticultural Education Supervisor, Professor, Scientist, Teacher, Farm Supervisor, Section Officer, Agriculture Inspector, etc.
Ans:- BSc Agriculture is comprehensively better than BSc Horticulture regarding employment opportunities and higher education.