Horticulture Science Series, Vol. III: Fruit Crops

Contents: Foreword to the series/M.S. Swaminathan. Foreword to the volume/K.L. Chadha. Preface. 1. Fruit industry - an introduction. 2. Orchard planning, layout and management. 3. Classification of fruit crops. 4. Tropical fruits. 5. Sub-tropical fruits. 6. Arid and semi-arid fruits. 7. Under and un-utilized fruits of tropics and sub-tropics. References. Index.

"The book is a comprehensive and need oriented volume encompassing the latest and balanced information about various aspects of fruit culture (tropical and subtropical).

Following is a sampling of topics covered. Introductory chapter on fruit industry deals briefly with production statistics, social, nutritive and industrial relevance and importance of fruit production.

Second chapter provides a complete overview of all principles and practices associated with Orchard planning, layout and management in a very abridged manner. The third chapter on classification of fruit crops includes botanical, horticulture and environmental grouping in a very precise but meaningful manner.

Following chapter give a detailed account on different aspects including origin, distribution, botany and varieties, classification, climate and soil requirements, propagation, cultivation methods, flowering, harvesting, post harvest methods and crop protection of different fruit crops coming under each group such as tropical, subtropical and arid and semi-arid fruits. Chapter four is on tropical fruits - Banana, Guava, Mangosteen, Papaya, Pineapple and Sapota. Chapter five is on ten major subtropical fruits - Avocado, Citrus, Grapes, Litchi, Loquat, Mango, Olive, Passion fruit, Persimmon and Pomegranate. Chapter six contains details of eight major arid and semi-arid fruit crops namely, Aonla, Ber, Custard apple, Date, Fig, Jack, Jamun and Phalsa. Apart from these major fruit crops, Chapter seven gives a brief but comprehensive account on a large number of under and un - exploited fruit crops of tropical and subtropical parts of the world. This chapter gives details of well-known minor fruits and a list of other very less known fruit species, which can be made the subject of detailed study for further utilization and information generation.

Information provided in this compilation will be of use to students, teachers, scientists, extension workers, orchardists and others interested in fruit culture."