In common with other titles in this series, this volume describes the scientific principles that are the bases of crop production practices. This volume focuses on the leafy salad vegetables: lettuce, endive and chicory. It opens with a review of world production data, crop uses, botany, taxonomy and evolution. It then describes the genetics and breeding of the crop, including cultivar development and germplasm resources. Physiological aspects, such as germination, growth and development, are then discussed. Production methods worldwide, including growing under cover in protected...

Bananas and plantains are major fruit crops in the tropics and subtropics, making a vital contribution to the economies of many countries. In the last 15 years, substantial changes have occurred in banana production, among them the increased importance of fungal and viral diseases and their serious impact on Cavendish export cultivars, smallholder plantains and cooking bananas. Changes in production systems such as protected greenhouse cultivation, organic, fair-trade and integrated cultivation and their respective certification schemes have also become prominent. This book provides an...

The first of two volumes, this book covers major tropical fruits such as avocado, litchi, mango, papaya and pineapple. Early chapters describe the tropics and its soils and deal with key issues such as tree management and postharvest handling, updated and expanded to include best handling practices and food safety issues and the way to address these issues in marketing. Following these are self-contained chapters on single fruits which provide in-depth studies of botany, areas of origin and distribution, descriptions of ecological requirements and world production and utilization of each...

Although thought of as a minor crop, peppers are a major world commodity due to their great versatility. They are used not only as vegetables in their own right but also as flavorings in food products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Aimed at advanced students and growers, this second edition expands upon topics covered in the first, such as the plant's history, genetics, production, diseases and pests, and brings the text up to date with current research and understanding of this genus. New material includes an expansion of marker-assisted breeding to cover the different types of markers...

This practical book provides an accessible overview of all aspects of pea and bean production, including botany and physiology, breeding, agronomy, weed management, pests and diseases, harvesting, nutritional value and uses. It also reflects on the constraints and opportunities in the future for peas and beans, exploring their role in food sustainability and crop rotation, and various factors affecting supply and demand such as climate change and breeding technologies.

Peas and beans are crops of economic, social, and agronomic importance, and this volume provides the specialist...

This new edition covers genetics and breeding, crop growth and yield, irrigation and fertilization, fruit ripening and quality, and postharvest biology and handling. Updated throughout and now in full colour, it also includes a new chapter on organic tomato production.

This new and updated edition covers major topics of interest to blueberry breeders and researchers: botany, physiology, nutrition, growth regulation, photosynthesis, environment, weeds, pests, diseases and postharvest management. The focus is on the highbush blueberry, though information on other blueberries and related species is also provided.

This full colour second edition reflects the impact of climate change and seasonal management, expansion of production to new areas, and changing methods of grape production. It includes information on wine, raisin and fresh grapes, covering topics such as growth, fruit development, vineyard establishment, mechanisation and postharvest processing.