Challenging Problems in Horticultural Biotechnology

Contents: Preface. 1. Horticulture. 2. Biological diversity: classification. 3. Anatomy of cells and tissues. 4. Experiments in plant hybridization. 5. Translocation of ions, assimilates and effectors. 6. An introduction to Lindenmayer Systems. 7. Molecular and genetic studies of interactions between plants and fungi. Bibliography. Index.

"Millennium development goals include reducing the proportion of people who suffer from hunger and poverty. To achieve this goal the Horticultural sector cannot be left out and therefore can play an important part in poverty reduction. Horticultural sector remains an important foreign exchange earner and contributes significantly in the local diets. Currently it is the second largest foreign exchange earner, after tourism. Development of this sector will stimulate economic growth as well as provide employment opportunities. Due to growing competition for both domestic and export markets, growers 80% of whom, are small scale farmers, require technologies that are environmental friendly and guarantee good health. Sustainable horticultural production would contribute significantly to the government\'s effort to alleviate poverty and empower the rural farmers. The aim of establishing these groups was to concentrate on important issues in the wide field of sustainable horticultural production. The oral presentations that were complemented by poster presentations were in the first two days of the workshop and in the third and fourth days participants visited farmers growing indigenous vegetables." (jacket)