The book "Seed Production of Selected Horticultural Crops" deals with the scientific approach to seed production of some common but important horticultural crops ranging from vegetables, spices, plantation crops, flowers and ornamentals. Information on various aspects for the production of quality seed of each of the crop including general aspects and botany, environmental and isolation requirements, detailed cultural requirements as well as harvest and post harvest management has been compiled and elucidated. The aim of this text book is to collate the traditional knowledge of horticultural seed production with that of the recent advances made in this direction throughout the globe in a comprehensive manner. The book will be quite useful for horticulturists, seed technologists, entrepreneurs, amateur gardeners, scientists, scholars, UG and PG students.

This third edition includes summaries at salient points within the first six chapters, dealing with the principles and practice of vegetable seed production. A suggested further reading list is provided at the conclusion of each of the 16 chapters. The general updating of this third edition has included more detail on 'organic' seed and its production, and also considerations on genetically modified organisms. The increased links between vegetables produced from true botanical seed and those predominantly propagated vegetatively (i.e. the resulting planting material which is often referred to as 'seed') have been added to this edition in Appendix 1.

This book combines several ideas and philosophies and provides a detailed discussion on the value addition of fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops, floricultural crops and in forestry. Separate chapters address the packaging, preservation, drying, dehydration, total quality management and supply chain management of horticultural crops. The book explains value addition as a process of increasing the economic value and consumer appeal of a commodity with special reference to horticultural crops. Each chapter focuses on a specific area, exploring value addition as a production/ marketing strategy driven by customer needs and preferences. But, as such, it is also a more creative field, calling for more imagination than calculated, routine work. Value is added to the particular produce item when the product is still available when the season is out and the demand for the product exceeds the available supply. Value addition is an important factor in the growth and development of the horticultural sector, both in India and around the world. But very little information is available on this particular aspect of horticulture. Albert Einstein famously said, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” This message is not only true for those people who want to make more of themselves, but also for those who want their creation or product in any form to excel. And it certainly applies to horticultural crops, which are extremely perishable. It is true that loss reduction is normally less costly than equivalent increases in production. The loss of fresh produce can be minimized by adopting different processing and preservation techniques to convert the fresh vegetables into suitable value-added and diversified products, which will help to reduce the market glut during harvest season. Value-added processed products are products that can be obtained from main products and by-products after some sort of processing and subsequently marketed for an increased profit margin. Generally speaking, value-added products indicate that for the same volume of primary products, a higher price is achieved by means of processing, packing, enhancing the quality or other such methods. The integrated approach from harvesting to the delivery into the hands of the consumer, if handled properly, can add value to fresh produce on the market. But most of the fresh produce has a limited life, although it can be stored at appropriate temperature and relative humidity for the same time. If such produce is processed just after harvesting, it adds value and stabilizes the processed products for a longer time. Preparing processed products will provide more variety to consumers and improve the taste and other sensory properties of food. This will also promote their fortification with nutrients that are lacking in fresh produce. By adopting suitable methods for processing and value addition, the shelf life of fresh produce can be increased manifold, which supports their availability year-round to a wider spectrum of consumers on both the domestic and international market. With increased urbanization, rising middle class purchasing power, changing food habits and a decline in making preserved products in individual homes, there is now a higher demand for industry-made products on the domestic market. In spite of all these aspects, only 1-2.2% of the total produce is processed in developing countries, as compared to 40-83% in developed countries. The horticultural export industry offers an important source of employment for developing countries. For instance, horticulture accounts for 30% of India’s agricultural GDP from 8.5% of cropped area. India is the primary producer of spices, second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and holds a prominent position with regard to most plantation crops in the world. The cultivation of horticultural crops is substantially more labor-intensive than growing cereal crops and offers more post-harvest opportunities for the development of value-added products. This book offers a valuable guide for students of horticulture, as well as a comprehensive resource for educators, scientists, industrial personnel, amateur growers and farmers.

With special reference to India.

The volume 1 contains a selection from speeches delivered by Shri R. Venkataraman as Vice-President of India. These speeches outline his perceptions of the nations's priorities, imperatives and goals. They bring to bear on a variety of themes, the accumulated experience of Shri Venkataraman's participation in India's public life which commenced in the early 1930s.
The Publications Division will also be bringing out volumes of Shri Venkataraman's subsequent speeches and writings as President of India.

Maintain viability with these techniques for proper seed storage! Healthy, viable seeds are the foundation for sustainable crop production, while poorly kept seeds can result in low germination and crop loss. Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops suggests appropriate strategies to help farmers and breeders store seeds of all kinds. This unique compendium gathers information from a wealth of scientific research and presents it in an easy-to-use format. Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops begins with a section on seed morphology and physiology. In subsequent sections, detailed information is provided for storage of the seeds of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants from tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops provides specific details on the factors affecting seed viability, including: selecting and preparing seeds for storage conditions of air, light, temperature, and moisture methods of seed invigoration, including priming, magnetism, and growth regulators favorable conditions for germination eliminating problems such as insects and fungal infection This comprehensive volume is an essential reference for agronomists, students and educators, researchers, heritage seed collectors, and farmers. Richly illustrated with figures, tables, and photographs, Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops will help you obtain bountiful harvests, sustain growth, and preserve genetic diversity.

In Indian context.

This is an up-to-date comprehensive text and reference on vegetable production in America and Canada for vegetable growers, handlers and marketers. Divided into three parts, this book discusses principles of vegetable production, explores the science and technology of vegetable crops (covering 12 major crop areas) and provides a glossary of terms used throughout. Nonnecke relates the most useful technology to each topic covered and emphasizes the key role of good husbandry as well as the opportunity for each region to deliver seasonably or year-round abundant, high-quality produce.

Genetic improvement has played a vital role in enhancing the yield potential of vegetable crops. There are numerous vegetable crops grown worldwide and variable degrees of research on genetics, breeding and biotechnology have been conducted on these crops. This book brings together the results of such research on crops grouped as alliums, crucifers, cucurbits, leaf crops, tropical underground and miscellaneous. Written by eminent specialists, each chapter concentrates on one crop and covers cytology, genetics, breeding objectives, germplasm resources, reproductive biology, selection breeding methods, heterosis and hybrid seed production, quality and processing attributes and technology. This unique collection will be of great value to students, scientists and vegetable breeders as it provides a reference guide on genetics, breeding and biotechnology of a wide range of vegetable crops.

This book is a compendium which dealing with all aspects and facts of vegetable crops which will meet the requirements of all those preparing for JRF, SRF, NET, Ph.D., ARS, and other competitive examinations. This book encompasses all the utmost important features required to get through NET conducted by ASRB, New Delhi. The book incorporates the latest data and facts, which are frequently asked in various competitive exams. Information on recent advances in crop improvement, crop health management and crop production gives a cutting edge to this publication. Narration and presentation of different topics is simple and easily understandable. Specimen multiple choice questions are there with their answers. This would immensely help the aspirants of different, competitive examinations.

This is major reference guide to the world seed industry and the crops propagated by seed. It aims to provide a guide to the production, storage and use of the seeds of the world's major food, industrial and commercial crops.

the publication is a good reference material. ' Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 62:9 1992

With reference to India.