Hort-503
Principles of Vegetable
Production
Dr. Muhammad Tahir Akram
Assistant Professor
Horticulture
Vegetable Definition
◼ Any edible portion of a herbaceous plant used fresh or processed.
◼ Edible portion may be
➢ Fruit (Tomato)
➢ Foliage (Leafy vegetables like spinach)
➢ Tuber (Potato)
➢ Root (Carrots)
➢ Seeds (Peas)
IMPORTANCE OF
VEGETABLES
Importance of Vegetables
◼ Give higher yield per unit area as compared to cereal crops.
◼ Employment generation as it is labour intensive.
◼ Suitable for increasing income of small farmers.
◼ Most effective use of land and labour resources for agricultural
development.
Nutritional importance and
contribution of vegetables
◼ Good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibres
◼ Deficiencies and promoting healthy bowel function (Calcium and
iron)
◼ Valuable source of phytonutrients that have protective
functions in human body
◼ Serve as powerful antioxidants that can protect cells from cancer-
causing agents add colour, taste and variety to meals
◼ Play important roles in preventing micronutrient
◼ Important adjunct for maintenance of good health.
◼ Beneficial in protecting against degenerative diseases.
◼ Neutralize acids produced during digestion of pertinacious and
fatty foods.
◼ Provide valuable roughages, which promotes digestion and helps in
preventing constipation.
Recommendations for vegetable
intakes
◼ FAO and WHO recommend that adults consume at least 400g
vegetables/ day
◼ Nutritional disorders, including birth defects, mental and
physical retardation, weakened immune systems, blindness, and
even death are caused by diets lacking micronutrients present in
vegetables
◼ Studies show that most populations tend to eat less than
recommended amounts
◼ Latest dietary guidelines suggest 5 to 13 servings of vegetables
/ day, depending upon the Calorie intake Need to build
regularly into daily meals and snacks .
Nutritional Importance
Vitamin C broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, leafy greens
pepper, potato, tomato
Vitamin A dark-green vegetables (such as collards, spinach,
(carotenoids) (carotenoids) and turnip greens), vegetables (such as
carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potato), orange-
flesh fruits (Tomato)
Fiber most fresh vegetables, cooked dry beans and peas.
Nutritional Importance
Potassium baked potato or sweet potato, cooked dry
beans, cooked greens
Folate dark-green leafy vegetables (such as
spinach, mustard greens, and romaine
lettuce), legumes
Role of vegetables in disease
Vegetables and Cancer
Studies have shown that there could be a decrease in cancer with a
higher intake of vegetables
Vegetables and Gastrointestinal Health:
Valuable components of vegetables is their indigestible fiber which can
calm the irritable bowel and, by triggering regular bowel movements, can
relieve or prevent constipation
Vegetables and Vision:
Eating plenty of vegetables also keeps eyes healthy help prevent two
common aging-related eye diseases - cataract and macular degeneration
Production Technology of Vegetables
Major summer vegetables growing
districts in Punjab
Sr. No. Crop District
1 Melons Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Dera
Ghazi Khan, Multan
2 B. Gourd/Pumpkin Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhpura
3 Tinda Gourd Layyah, Jhang, Khanewal
4 Chillies Kasur, Pakpattan, Vehari, Sahiwal
5 Bitter Gourd Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Sasrgodha
6 Okara Sheikhupura, Toba Tek
Singh, Faisalabad
7 Turmeric Kasur, Okara
Major winter vegetables growing
districts in Punjab
Sr. No. Crop District
1 Potato Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Kasur, Sialkot
2 Onion Kasur, Vehari, Khanewal, Okara,
Sheikhupura
3 Peas Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Gujrat, Jhang, Okara
4 Turnip Mandi Bahaudin, Jhang, Okara
5 Carrot Sheikhupura, Kasur, Lahore
6 Cauliflower Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Faisalabad
7 Radish Sahiwal, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Toba Tek Singh,
Okara
8 Spinach Faisalabd, Okara, Sargodha
9 Garlic Sialkot, Kasur, Gujranwala
