What does the term “horticulture” refer to in the context of specialty crops?

The term "horticulture" primarily refers to the art and science of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. In the context of specialty crops, this encompasses a wide range of activities, including planting, cultivating, harvesting, and marketing these crops. Horticulture is centered on enhancing the growth and quality of these plants to improve food production, aesthetics, and landscape functionality.

This definition highlights how horticulture is not just about agriculture in a broad sense; it involves specialized techniques and knowledge tailored specifically for various crops, often focusing on quality, sustainability, and innovation in cultivation practices. Horticulturists may also engage in areas such as breeding, pest management, and landscape design, all of which relate closely to maintaining and improving specialty crops.

In contrast, the other options focus on narrower aspects of agriculture or gardening. For example, the study of pests would fall under entomology and plant pathology rather than horticulture itself. Crop rotation pertains to agronomy and sustainable farming practices, while soil fertilization is a specific agricultural technique rather than a comprehensive field like horticulture.