ABSTRACT
Horticulture plays a significant role in Indian Agriculture. Fruits and vegetables are highly valued in human diet mainly for vitamins and minerals. In India, the fruits have been given a place of honor on being offered to God at every festival and have also been mentioned in our epics like Mahabharata, Ramayana, and writings of Sushrutha and Charaka. Fruits and vegetables contribute approximately 91 percent of vitamin C, 48 percent of vitamin A, 27 percent of vitamin B6, 17 percent of niacin, 16 percent of magnesium, 19 percent of iron and 9 percent of calories to the human diet. Other important nutrients supplied by fruits and vegetables, include iron, riboflavin, zinc, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus (USDA, 1983).
