50 Years of Crop Science Research in India/edited by R.S. Paroda and K.L. Chadha. 1996, 796 p., col. plates, $59.
Contents: Preface. I. General: 1. National agricultural research system--an overview/R.S. Paroda. 2. Plant genetic resource activities in India/K.P.S. Chandel and Sudhir Kochhar. 3. Developments in crop biotechnology/V.L. Chopra. 4. Hybrid research/M. Rai and S. Mauria. 5. Integrated pest management/A.K. Raheja and G.C. Tewari. 6. Integrated disease management/S. Nagarajan, A.K. Sharma and J. Kumar. 7. Biological control/S.P. Singh. 8. Cropping systems/R.L. Yadav. 9. Quality seed production and technology/S.P. Sharma. 10. Post-harvest management of field crops/R.P. Kachru. 11. Post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables/S.B. Maini. 12. Farm mechanization/Gajendra Singh and Gyanendra Singh. II. Field Crops : Cereal crops: 13. Rice/E.A. Siddiq. 14. Wheat/R.B. Singh and V.P. Kulshrestha. 15. Maize/N.N. Singh, N.P. Gupta and S. Mauria. Pulse crops: 16. Pigeonpea/Shanker Lal. 17. Chickpea/A.N. Asthana, Masood Ali and S.K. Chaturvedi. 18. Other pulses/B. Sharma. Oilseed crops: 19. Groundnut/P.S. Reddy. 20. Rapeseed-mustard/P.R. Kumar. 21. Sunflower/K. Virupakshappa. Commercial crops: 22. Sugarcane/G.B. Singh and B.K. Tripathi. 23. Cotton/A.K. Basu. 24. Tobacco/R. Lakshminarayana. III. Horticulture and plantation crops: Fruit crops: 25. Mango/K.L. Chadha and I.S. Yadav. 26. Citrus/H.P. Singh. 27. Banana/H.P. Singh. 28. Pineapple/K.L. Chadha and B.M.C. Reddy. 29. Papaya/S.P. Ghosh. 30. Grape/S.D. Shikhamany. 31. Guava/I.S. Yadav. 32. Sapota/B.S. Chundawat. 33. Apple and pear/R.P. Awasthi and P.S. Chauhan. 34. Stone fruits and nuts/A.A. Sofi. 35. Indian jujube and pomegranate/O.P. Pareek. Vegetable crops: 36. Solanaceous vegetables/G. Kalloo. 37. Cucurbitaceous vegetables/O.P. Dutta. 38. Vegetable legumes/D.P. Singh and A. Vani. Potato and tuber crops: 39. Bulb and root vegetables/Narendra Singh and Netra Pal. 40. Cole crops/H.S. Gill and S.R. Sharma. 41. Potato/G.S. Shekhawat. 42. Cassava/P.G. Rajendran. 43. Sweet potato/S.P. Varma. Mushroom: 44. Mushroom/R.N. Verma. Ornamental and medicinal crops: 45. Floriculture/K.L. Chadha. 46. Medicinal and aromatic crops/Rajendra Gupta. Plantation crops: 47. Coconut/M.K. Nair. 48. Oil palm/P. Rethinam. 49. Cashew/E.V.V. Bhaskara Rao. Spices: 50. Major spices/K.V. Peter. 51. Tree spices/S. Edison.
"The 50th year of independence coincides with the Second International Crop Science Congress in which more than 1,200 scientists from nearly 65 countries are expected to participate and discuss field and horticultural crops covering improvement depicting success, challenges and future strategies; growth and development of seed industry; agricultural export; besides international research linkages etc.
"On this twin occasion the ICAR is bringing out this publication 50 Years of Crop Science Research in India, highlighting the progress made by India in the field of agriculture since independence. The publication has 51 chapters divided into 3 main parts, viz general, field crops, and horticulture and plantation crops. Part 1 elucidates the existing infrastructure in agricultural research, and highlights the work on plant genetic resources, crop biotechnology, bybrid research, pest and disease management, cropping systems, seed production, post-harvest management and farm mechanization.
"Parts 2 and 3 deal with field crops, and horticulture and plantation crops of importance to the country. These chapters highlight the infrastructure, crop improvement, production, protection, and future lines of work on these crops.
"The publication covering nearly 800 pages would provide information to the readers about the progress made by India in agriculture. It is hoped that this publication will be of great interest to the planners, research workers and those interested in agriculture." (jacket)