October 21, 2020
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The study examined the therapeutic effects of the horticultural activities on staff cop- based research institutes in South Western Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Pretested structure questionnaire were used to collect data. One hundred (83.3%) questionnaire were returned and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, ranking, Chi square and PPMC. Intellectually, the most important therapeutic benefit derived from interactions with horticultural crops was increase in power of observation (92.0%), while ability to exercise patience ranked highest among the emotional benefits. The topmost health benefit of horticultural therapy as perceived by 87.0% of the respondents was increased outdoor activities. There was a significant relationship (P<0.05) between intellectual therapeutic benefit of horticultural activities and age of the respondents (r=0.22). similarly, significant relationship existed between emotional therapeutic benefits of horticultural activities and marital status (X=0.36), while perceived health benefits of horticultural therapy and ownership of home garden (X=0.21) and personal farm (X=0.22)were also significantly related. Interaction with plants resulted in promotion of the intellectual and emotional well being of the respondents thereby confirming the therapeutic benefits inherent in man-plant interaction.