Information about Ancient Indian Plant Science is available in various texts, which can be termed as Vrikshayurveda, because all these texts contain information about various parameters of plant life, to make it healthy and useful to human being.

1. Plant Taxonomy Classification and Nomenclature - Plants were classified in tree major groups, namely, Ubhida (Botanical), Virechanadi (medicinal), Annapanadi (Dietetic). These were sub divided by various scientists such as Manu, Shukarachaya, Charaka, Sushurut, Amarsimha. Nomenclature of plants shows accurate knowledge of geography of India, plants have been named according to special association, property like medicinal, characteristic, morphological features, etc.

2. Plant Anatomy - Brhadranyaka Upnishada compares human body with tree. It compares Man – Mighty tree, Hair – Leaves, Skin – Outer Bark, Flesh – Inner bark or soft tissues, Nerves – Innner fibers, Marrow – Spongy tissue. This comparison gives idea of internal structure of a tree. Vrikshayurveda of Parashara gives detail description of tissue system in transporting nutrients and sap up to leaves, collected from soil.

3. Reproduction, Sex and Heredity – Buddha Gosha’s Sumangala-Vilasini describes methods of reproduction by root, seeds, cuttings, joints and budding.
Charaka Samhita and Harita Samhita mentions about sexuality in plants. Charaka identifies male and female individuals in Kutaja while Raaj Nighantu mentions male and female in Ketaki Plant.
Charka and Sushruta mentions that fertilized ovum contains in miniature all organs of the plant.

4. Climate- Rigveda mention six seasons. It mentions Sun as protector, purifier and source of prosperity. It also explains water cycle. Parashara gives details of forecasting rainfall based on position of moon and sun. Kalidasa in Meghdoot gives course of monsoon clouds from Bay of Bengal to central and northern plains up to Himalayas.

5. Irrigation and watering – Rigveda mentions irrigation by river and wells through channels. Buddhist literature mentions building of small tanks. Arthshatra mentions sluice gate to tank. Information about watering for grafted or transplanted or newly planted trees or already growing plants in different soil conditions and in different seasons along with timing, duration of watering has been mentioned in texts.

6. Locating Water Table- Chakrapani in Vishva-Vallabha gives details of possible locations of ground water and at what depth. He also give techniques for converting water quality form acidic, pungent, saline to sweet. Similarly, indications of finding water in arid, marshy and mountainous areas has also mentioned in various texts.

7. Farm Implements - Rig Veda mentions light and heavy plough pulled by bullocks along with carts. Krisi-Prashara gives detail design of plough (which is quite similar to today’s plough). Along with disk plough, seed drill, blade and wooden spike teeth harrow, axe, sickle, supa for winnowing, vessels for measuring grains have been referred in various texts.

8. Soil - All literature from Rig veda Samhita, had given importance to soil and classified soil in various groups based on panchmahabhutas, physical characteristics, climate, colour, taste, proximity to water, rain fed, river fed, fertility, suitability for specific crops, productivity, selection of soil for different trees, garden, etc. Similarly, information about good and bad quality soils along with soil productivity test is found in ancient literature.

9. Land Preparation - Rig Veda mentions repeated ploughing before actual plantation. Prashara gives details of days of the week and month for ploughing to get good crop. He also mentions number of furrows for actual plantation. Varhamihira suggests treatment of sesame before plantation.

10. Propagation -
     a] Seed- Prashara gives details about selection, caring and storage of seed. Arthashashtra suggests sowing          of rice in rainy season and pulses afterwards. It also suggests treatment of cowdung, honey and ghee for          good germination. Similar type of tips has been given in other literature also.
     b] Sowing – Parasara mentions 13 Nakshatras from Uttar Ashadha to Revathi good for sowing. He also gives          classical explanation about sowing based on days and lunar position along with planting distance and sun’s          position.
     c] Nursery- Development of seedlings and transplantation was practiced during first century AD in Godavari          and Krishna deltas.
     d] Grafting – Varahamihira mentions two methods of grafting of variety of fruits and flowering plants. He also          gives grafting and watering schedule for a year, based on development of branches.

11. Crops –
     a] Diversity - Different varieties of rice, barley, millets like bajara, ragi, pulses like black gram, green gram, oil          seeds like sesame, brown and yellow mustard, linseed, caster, cotton as fiber along with trees, various          fruits and shrubs finds mention in literature.
    b] Crop rotation – Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita, Ramayama and other literature gives information about          rotation of crops for maintaining soil fertility.

12. Plant Nutrients and Growth Promoters- For sprouting, growth of young plants, general growth of a plant, foliage, flowering and fruiting in large quantities; a number of remedies like use of decoctions, soups, gravy, pastes, process like boiling and cooling of various mixtures of plant, parts, plastering, fermented water, cool and warm water, sprinkling, fumigation, etc., along with interval, season, number of days of use etc. finds place in all most all literature related to Vrikshayurveda.

13. Plant Protection - Diseases caused by pests to crops, plants and trees was of major concern right from vedic period. Hence, agents responsible for damages were studied in great details and remedies were mentioned in many texts. Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda divides plant ailment in two categories
A] External ailments caused by heat, frost, strong winds, less or more water, continuous shade, insects attack, mechanical wounds, etc.
B] Internal ailments Surapala for the first time applied three dosha principles of Ayurveda to plants and categories diseases in to Vata, Pitta, Kapha disorders.
The remedies to cure diseases include plastering, covering plants body with paste, and application of paste on the broken parts of the tree and providing support, treating plants by understanding three doshas, treatment based on taste of a substance, treatment for young and old trees, use of disinfectants, decoctions, soups, warm and cold water, schedule, timing, duration of application of medicine. Along with these cure for wrong medicine, treatment for non response to medicine, curing trees by removing ulcers and bulges from the tree, treatment for frost, fire, storm, lightening, affected trees, treatment for plants crushed due to weight has been mentioned. Apart from these chanting of Mantras in some treatments have been mentioned.

14. Harvesting and Storage - Some texts like Kashyapa’s Krishi Sukti gives details of harvesting, threshing and storage.

15. Arborihorticulture – From the Rigvedic times Vrikshayurveda has emphasized on development of gardens and parks for health, recreation and enjoyment of people. All decent houses of noble men and king were associated with pleasure and kitchen gardens. Smarat Ashoka encouraged development of arboriculture and horticulture. Vatasayana suggests location of parks and gardens and also gives details of kitchen garden. Kashaypa gives details of development of garden such as location, species of plants and their utility.

16. Animals – Animals such as boar, small shining fish, hog, python, mouse, cock, cow, cat, deer, elephant, fox, earthworms, rabbits, horse, tiger, leopard, buffalos etc and their products and body parts such a milk, excreta, urine, cowdung, marrow of bone, flesh, offal, blood, fat, skull, hair, shell of crab etc find place in Vrikshayurveda especially in nutrients and treatment of diseases.

Thus, holistic information on technical knowledge is available, about all aspects of cultivation, caring and protecting plants and trees, in Vrikshayurveda.