Book excerpt: Principles of Horticulture, Second Edition covers the various topics concerning plant cultivation for agricultural use. The book is comprised of 17 chapters that tackle the various areas of concerns in horticulture. The coverage of the text includes the nurturing aspects of horticulture, including growth and development, genetics and breeding, and nutrition. The book also covers the various threats and problems encountered by horticulturists, such as pests, weeds, and harmful microorganisms. The text will be of great use to researchers and practitioners of plant-related fields, such as botany, agriculture, and particularly horticulture.