Best Books for ICAR JRF Horticulture 2026: The Topper’s Booklist (Updated)

Are you still dreaming of IARI relying solely on Glaustas? Those days are gone!

Friends, if you are preparing for ICAR JRF Horticulture (Code 08), you already know that this subject has the widest syllabus in the entire agriculture stream.

I have deeply analysed the 2024 and 2025 Question Papers. The examiner has completely shifted the pattern:

• Then, Most questions used to come from Fruit Science (Mango/Banana varieties).

• Now: The weightage of Floriculture (Gardens & Micropropagation) and Post-Harvest Technology has increased drastically.

You cannot get selected anymore just by memorising objective books. You need clear concepts. In this blog post, I will reveal the Best Books for ICAR JRF Horticulture 2026  that IARI toppers follow but rarely share.

Why Do You Need the Best Books for ICAR JRF Horticulture 2026?

The JRF Horticulture paper has become “Balanced” but “Tricky”.

1. The Floriculture Boom: In the 2025 paper, deep questions (Sequence/Matching) were asked about Gardens, Landscaping, and Loose Flowers.

2. Breeding & Biotech Focus: Production technology alone is not enough. Questions on Breeding Methods and Biotech (Tissue Culture) of Vegetables and Fruits are rising.

3. The General Agri Trap: Horticulture students often ignore General Agri (Soil/Physiology), but 20-22 questions come from there, which actually decide your rank.

Therefore, you need Standard Textbooks for every specific section.

1. The “Bible” of Horticulture (Foundation Builder)

If you haven’t read this book, you are not even in the race.

Basic Horticulture by Jitendra Singh

For Horticulture aspirants, this book is the “Holy Grail”. Concepts of Fundamentals, Propagation, and Planting Systems are best explained here.

• Topper’s Tip: Read the initial chapters (Fundamentals) line-by-line.

👉 [Buy Basic Horticulture by Jitendra Singh] (Link Here)

2. Core Subjects (Fruit, Veg & Flowers)

This section covers 60-70% of the paper.

Fruit Science: Basic Horticulture by Ranjit Singh

This is a concise book but very powerful for Fruit Crops. It cuts the clutter and gives only relevant information. (Study Propagation methods and Rootstocks from here).

👉 [Buy Basic Horticulture by Ranjit Singh] (Link Here)

Vegetable Science by D. Singh

This is the most authentic book for the breeding, varieties, and seed production of Vegetable crops. It is a must-read for IARI aspirants.

👉 [Buy Vegetable Science by D. Singh] (Link Here)

Floriculture at a Glance by Desh Raj

Warning: Do not take this book lightly. The weightage of Floriculture increased in 2025. Desh Raj Sir’s book is the best resource for Gardens, Lawns, and Commercial Flowers.

👉 [Buy Floriculture at a Glance by Desh Raj] (Link Here)

3. The “Rank Deciders” (PHM & General Agri)

This is the section where 90% of students make mistakes. If you want a Top 10 Rank, you have to study this.

Fruit and Vegetable Preservation by R.P. Srivastava (or Manish Srivastav)

Post-Harvest Management (Canning, Drying, FPO standards) is now a crucial part of the exam. Basic definitions won’t work; you need to know the process.

👉 [Buy Fruit & Veg Preservation Book] (Link Here)

Nemraj Sunda (For General Agriculture)

The 20 questions related to Genetics, Soil Science, and Physiology in the Horticulture paper will be covered by this book. These are your “Bonus Marks”.

👉 [Buy Nemraj Sunda (Latest Edition)] (Link Here)

4. Best Objective Books for Practice

After reading concepts, practicing questions is essential to retain varieties and facts.

Essence of Horticulture by A.R. Kurree / K.L. Nagar

This is the best book for revision and practice. It contains questions based on previous years’ trends.

👉 [Buy Essence of Horticulture] (Link Here)

Glaustas Horticulture by P. Muthukumar

If you want all facts in one place (Tabular form), this book is excellent. Use it for last-minute revision.

👉 [Buy Glaustas Horticulture] (Link Here)

How to Study These Books? (Topper’s Strategy)

1. Don’t Read Cover to Cover: Read only the crops mentioned in the syllabus. Don’t waste time on minor crops.

2. Make Comparative Tables: Remember varieties and disorders of Mango, Banana, and Citrus by comparing them in tables.

3. Focus on Breeding: Understand Vegetable and Flower breeding (Self-incompatibility, Male Sterility) thoroughly