Foreword Horticulture sector, which includes. fruits, vegetables including potato, tubers and mushroom, spice, ornamental plants, medicinal and aromatic plants and plantation crops has played a crucial role for effective land use, nutritional security and employment opportunity. Efforts made for the horticulture research and development have been rewarding in terms of increased production, productivity, availability and export of horticultural produce. The country has emerged as a second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, and continue to hold a major share in export of cashew nut and spices. Currently the sector contributes 29.5 per cent to the GDP of agriculture. In order to gain global acceptance and harness emerging potential, there is a need to capitalize on strength and enhance the competitiveness. Although we have succeeded in enhancing production and productivity, but quality and safety need much more upgradation. Several quality regulation standards are being adopted now which require a technological backup. In order to enhance the competition, new market rules have been framed and infrastructures are being developed. Contract farming, which enhances adoption of better technologies and investment, are being promoted. Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive strategies for production system management of horticultural crops. Dr. Peter and his colleagues have made efforts to provide their insight for management of horticultural crops. I am sure, their book “Management of Horticultural Crops” would be of immense value to all, those who are concerned with horticulture.

Introduction Fruits are undoubtedly God’s gift to mankind. Fruits are protective foods as they contain vitamins, minerals and enzymes, necessary for better functioning of human body and for fighting diseases. History of fruits is as old as that of Adam and Eve who ate the forbidden apple. Date palm seems to be the earliest fruit cultivated by man as early as 7000 B.C. Pomegranate is also one of the oldest fruits which was under cultivation as early as 3500 B.C. During ancient times, monks survived solely on fruits and milk giving an indication about importance of fruits and antiquity of fruits in India. India is the place of origin of mango, banana, phalsa, jack fruit, bael, aonla and a few citrus fruits whereas all other fruits are introduced from foreign countries. Litchi, loquat, persimmon, peach and sweet orange are from China; papaya, guava, sapota, avocado, custard apple and pineapple are from tropical America; and apple, plum, pear, date palm, mangosteen, strawberry, cherry, almond, walnut, apricot, grape and pomegranate are from the Central Asiatic Regions.

Introduction India has a long history in the cultivation of vegetable crops and it sustains the livelihood of a large section of population directly or indirectly. Vegetable crops offer high returns,  have a potential to alleviate the poverty of people, provide nutritional security and essential raw materials for agro industries. These crops also offer greater rural employment opportunity and have high potential for foreign exchange earning. India bestowed with varied soil and high climatic conditions has excellent potential for growing both tropical and temperate vegetables. India is the second largest producer of vegetables in the world after China. The total area under vegetables is estimated 5.9 million ha which contributes more than 2.5% of total cropped area. The production is estimated  90.83 milion tonnes. China having a production of about 278.59 million tonnes  is the largest producer of vegetable crops in the world. The annual growth rate in vegetables is of the order of 2.6%. Potato, brinjal, tomato, chilli, cabbage, onion, cauliflower,okra and peas are grown on commercial scale. West Bengal, Uttar Predesh, Bihar, Orissa and Karnataka are the leading vegetable producing states. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Andra Pradesh are the leading states in onion production where as West Bengal, Uttar Predesh and Bihar are the leading potato producing states. Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Assam are the leading brinjal producing states.

Introduction Flowers are the most fascinating objects in the world and many poems are written glorifying them. They are associated with mankind from the dawn of civilization. Flowers are an integral part of our day to day life and they find a place in worshiping, religious and social functions, wedding, interior decoration and self adornment. Flowers are used to convey the human feelings. To say it with flowers is very common in western culture. Emergence of a strong middle class and changing life style has created a great demand for cut flowers in India.

Introduction Plantation crops are high value industrial crops with great economic importance and play vital role in trade. It contributes to environment protection and sustains a large number of agrobased industries. It has great potential for utilization of waste lands in varied agro-ecosystems like rainfed, dryland, hilly, arid and coastal, providing higher employment opportunities, nutritional security, eco-friendly, high potential for foreign exchange earnings and above all providing livelihood security to people. They contribute 25% of AGDP. Major plantation crops grown in India are coconut,cardamom,cinchona, arecanut, oilpalm, cashew, palmyra, rubber, cocoa, tea and coffee. These crops grown between 20° N and 20° S of equator occupy nearly 3.2 million ha with a production of 9.8 million tonnes. All these crops are perennial in nature and demand  labour round the year. All plantation crops enter international trade and all of them have a long juvenile period. Coconut, arecanut and cashew are cultivated by individual land  owners who are not organized to the same extent as  planters of tea, coffee and rubber.

Introduction Spices hold a special place in world trade and were a catalyst in many historical events, discoveries, wars and inventions. It has even been cited as an important element in the spread of knowledge and culture. Spices are non-leafy parts of plants used as a flavoring or seasoning. Asia is known as ‘Land of Spices’ as it is the place of origin, production, consumption and export of most spices. Out of the world’s 70 plant species grown as spices, 13 are considered major spices produced in Asia. Spices had many uses, from adding flavour to food to medicinal properties, but only grew in a few places. In the last decade, the annual average growth in spice production was 4.3% and trade in spices grew at an average of 5.8% /year. More sophisticated consumers, health-conscious eating habits (but also the rise in the amount of processed foods that use herbs and spices as inputs), rising incomes, increased world trade and globalisation are driving this new era of profitability. Spices are ideal commodities for international trade. They are normally exported in raw or dried form and are usually easy to store and transport. Consequently they do not need expensive infrastructure such as cold chain management or advanced storage facilities and they are not particularly time sensitive. In addition, they are recognised as high value products that can be produced relatively easily on small farms and do not require investments in advanced technology and machinery.

INDEX A A. Angustifolium  834 A. Aromaticum  834 A. Diversifolia  8 A. Korarima  834 A. Reticulata  8, 9, 11 Abhelmoschus esculentus (l)  199 Abortifacient  9 Absorption  18, 49, 67, 273, 294, 392, 472, 475, 503, 552, 576, 743, 841 Acacia mearnsii  701 Acanthaceae  389 Acetic acid  59, 243, 504, 570, 572, 675, 798 Acetobacter  570, 572 Acetobacter aceti  572 Activated carbon  560, 573 Aeration  37, 220, 259, 287, 372, 374, 375, 392, 415, 416, 417, 418, 555, 595, 599, 693, 931 Aflatoxin  275, 276 Aframomum  834, 870, 889 Aftercare  201, 220, 232, 249, 251, 253, 258, 275, 379, 592, 660 Aftercultivation  225, 228, 230, 241, 243, 246, 263 Aggregation of exports  168