General info
A diversity of horticultural crops from temperate zone to subtropical species are adaptable to California's varied climate and topography and irrigated agriculture. Many are so well adapted that California ranks at or near the top in the production of them. California's horticulture began in the late 1700's with the Spanish colonization and the agricultural development associated with the Jesuit missions. In the early 1800's, pioneer fruit growers, with American settlers prominent among them, established vineyards and orchards of citrus and deciduous fruits, preparing the way for the significant development in commercial horticulture attendant on the population growth which carve with statehood and the gold rush. The opening of the transcontinental railroad and the advent of refrigerated transportation later in the century were a major stimulus to the expansion of the fruit and vegetable industries. Ornamental or landscape horticulture also has grown in importance with the increasing population and urbanization in the state. The eminent position of California horticulture today is also due in part to contribution from horticultural research. Over the past 60 years especially, the University of California through its College of Agriculture and Agricultural Experiment Station has carried a major responsibility for such research with the efforts divided among several departments appropriate to the diversity and economic importance of the state's horticultural industries. Today horticultural research in the University is centered primarily on two of its campuses, Davis and Riverside. Organisations / Institutes:
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Last updated: Tue Dec 16 16:44:59 NFT 2003