In the current scenario, marked by a continual improvement in living standards, it becomes imperative to boost the productivity as well as the efficiency of agriculture, especially horticulture, which holds the potential for significant economic prosperity aligning with Sustainable Development Goal number 8, "Decent Work and Economic Growth". Modern technological interventions, such as geospatial technology and geographic information system (GIS) technology, can be harnessed to yield effective results in addressing challenges and providing enhanced decision support, particularly in the planning of horticultural resource management. Cultivation and production of fresh produce face several challenges, including prolonged juvenile phases and reproductive cycles with extended breeding periods, creating bottlenecks in the process. The evolving trends in biotechnology offer promising solutions for improving the selection of desirable traits. Biotechnological techniques aimed at improving fruit efficiency encompass tissue culture, induction of genetic variability, germplasm conservation, and molecular breeding/genomics. These methods involve the study of genetic diversity, DNA fingerprinting, and Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis for marker-assisted selection. Over the past few decades, the global population has consistently risen, raising concerns about the ability of the current food system to adequately feed the anticipated 10 billion people in the next 30 years. While this challenge is deemed achievable, certain changes in both food production and consumption systems are essential to ensure sustainability, reduce food loss and waste, and contribute to a global shift toward healthier and more sustainable diets. Implementing sustainable models of crop production represents a significant undertaking. To address the growing food demand amid deteriorating production environments, there is a need for promising technologies and effective management options to enhance productivity. This book is poised to be a valuable resource for horticultural scientists operating in universities, government agencies, and research centers, offering insights into achieving sustainable cultivation practices for fruits. It stands out as the first of its kind, providing in‐depth knowledge on environmentally friendly methods for cultivating temperate fruit crops, to reduce harmful emissions and pollution. This book will delve into the application of geographic information system (GIS) for estimating horticulture area expansion and crop yield. Additionally, it will encompass recent biotechnological interventions in horticulture, circular agriculture models, and emerging non‐thermal food preservation techniques as significant components. Features: Aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated overview of current techno-statistical techniques employed in horticulture, delving into the associated livelihood benefits derived from the practice. Explores the novel geographical trends to identify the site suitability indices of several temperate fruits. Offers a comprehensive and integrated exploration of recent trends in biotechnological approaches aimed at enhancing food production, quality, and safety.

This book provides an account of the classical and recent trends in plant sciences, which have contributed for disease management strategies in plants for sustainable agriculture. Advancements in the disciplines of biological sciences like biotechnology, microbiology, bioinformatics as well as information and communication technology etc has given the new dimensions for the development of new plant disease management strategies. By keeping this perspective in view, the editors collected and compiled the useful, practical and recent information regarding plant disease management from a diverse group of authors from different countries associated with well-reputed scientific, teaching and research organizations with the objective to update and equip the researchers with comprehensive and latest knowledge of plant disease management. This book is based on the knowledge of traditional and modern approaches for plant disease management. It has 15 chapters, each chapter describing the pillar strategies, which may be the possible way for crop protection from diseases.This effort deals with the history and recent trends in plant disease control, plant genetics and physiology in disease prognosis, conventional plant breeding program for disease resistance, synthetic chemicals: major component of plant disease management, biological antagonism: expected safe and sustainable way to manage plant diseases , soil microbes and plant health, conventional and modern technologies for the management of post-harvest diseases, nanobiotechnology, an innovative plant disease management approach, transgenic approaches in plants: strategic control for disease management, exploiting RNAi mechanism in plants for disease resistance, genome editing technologies for resistance against phytopathogens: principles, applications and future prospects, plant health clinics in Pakistan: operations and prospects, precision agriculture technologies for management of plant disease, quarantine and regulations and development and implementation of IDM program for annual and perennial crops.

This book provides recent understanding about the sustainable development in agriculture. It includes information regarding new approaches for sustainable development in agriculture, horticulture and fisheries. It examines the effect of climate change and provides information on climate smart practices. In addition, some important aspects like quality seed production, role of bioinoculants, on-farm water harvesting, non-thermal processing of food, importance of water use in organic agriculture have also been discussed. It also presents in detail plant disease aspect and their management strategies. This book aims to provide an overall understanding of all aspects related to the study of environment resources, its protection for sustainable development. To meet the growing food demand of the over nine billion people who will exist by 2050 and the expected dietary changes, agriculture will need to produce 60 percent more food globally in the same period. The goal of sustainable agriculture is to meet society’s food and textile needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Practitioners of sustainable agriculture seek to integrate three main objectives into their work: a healthy environment, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. Every person involved in the food system growers, food processors, distributors, retailers, consumers, and waste managers can play a role in ensuring a sustainable agricultural system.

Ecological and genetic control of plant resistance to unfavorable environmental influences is being carried out all over the world, and new varieties and hybrids of plants are being created, resulting in rich, new information and innovative new methods of cultivation. This new volume, Temperate Horticulture for Sustainable Development and Environment: Ecological Aspects, explores the vast biotic diversity in horticulture, with a focus on sustainable development in today's deteriorating environment. The book offers new technologies for a wide range of horticultural crops, including vegetables, fruit, berries, and flowers. The information presented here is the result of original experiments and study of leading specialists in horticulture, plant breeding, and related areas. Part 1, Innovation in the Field of Vegetable Growing, looks at several completely new methods for increasing the yield of potatoes and cucumbers. The second part. The Arctic Berries: Ecology and Biochemistry presents an abundance of data on the phytocenotic properties of wild-growing and cultivated berry plants and of arctic raspberry and blueberry in natural populations of taiga zones. The authors studied berry crops, cranberry, Arctic bramble, blueberry, Arctic raspberry, cowberry, growing on the boggy soil and peatlands in taiga zones. Part 3, Decorative Plants: Breeding and Biochemistry, provides an overview of winter garden plants and their successful cultivation, looks at the range of resistance to salinization and other stresses of ornamental plants growing, and presents a biochemical analysis of biological active compounds and antioxidants among various species of the genus Aloe. Part 4, on Fruit Growing and Breeding, reviews various technologies for the cultivation of various fruits and presents an overview of data on breeding rare fruit crop. This volume will be useful for the scientific community, ecologists, geneticists, breeders, and industry professionals interested in using science to implement practical applications in production of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Although a great deal of research on ornamental geophytes has been conducted since the beginning of the 1990s, current information has not been comprehensively presented to researchers and horticulturalists. Covering the latest advances in geophytes science, Ornamental Geophytes: From Basic Science to Sustainable Production provides up-to-date reviews on geophyte taxonomy, physiology, genetics, production, plant protection, and postharvest biology. Novel approaches to environmentally-friendly, sustainable production and integrated management have stimulated new research directions, and innovative biochemical and molecular methods have opened new avenues in taxonomy and breeding. In addition to the issues historically associated with traditionally growing countries, the book reviews the development of new production centers in Africa, Asia, and South America. In 20 chapters, this book reflects three main trends in plant science and horticulture: A demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly production Widespread employment of new molecular technologies The globalization of the production and marketing chains Thoroughly modern and in tune with the needs and methods of the geophytes industry, Ornamental Geophytes: From Basic Science to Sustainable Production will benefit not only researchers who have been engaged for years but also new researchers and students who must meet and challenge the existing dogmas. In addition, the information contained in this book is vital to bringing the value of flower bulbs to the worldwide consumers who are the most important and last links in the chain of utilization and profitability of all ornamental products.

The present book on “Emerging Crop Pest Problems: Redefining Management Strategies” comprehensively deals with the rapid and accurate detection, diagnosis, and development of management recommendations for the emerging crop pests. The book is divided into five sections. The first section deals with an overview of emerging crop pest scenario including drivers of pest emergence, impacts of emerging pests, and management of emerging pests. The emerging insect and mite pests on field, fruit, vegetable, plantation, tuber, and forest crops; and strategies for their management are dealt in section two. The third section deals with emerging bacterial, fungal and viral diseases of field, fruit, vegetable, ornamental, spice, and tuber crops and their management. The emerging nematode scenario on field, fruit, vegetable, ornamental, medicinal, spice, and tuber crops and strategies for their management are dealt in section four. The final section deals with pests likely to become serious threats in future, and potential impact and anticipated effect of climate change on emerging pests. The possible technical and policy responses, policy considerations and the road map ahead are also discussed in this section. The book is extensively illustrated with excellent quality photographs enhancing the quality of publication. The book is written in lucid style, easy to understand language along with adoptable management recommendations involving eco-friendly practices. This book will be of immense value to scientific community involved in teaching, research and extension activities related to emerging crop pest problems and their management strategies. The material can be used for teaching post-graduate courses. The book can also serve as a very useful reference to policy makers and practicing farmers.

An in-depth exploration of organic mushroom cultivation practices, groundbreaking research and myriad ways to incorporate mushrooms into your life "A clear, comprehensive guide that is a gift to amateur as well as professional mushroom growers. This book opens the doors wide to a diverse and fascinating fungal world."—Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden What would it take to grow mushrooms in space? How can mushroom cultivation help us manage, or at least make use of, invasive species such as kudzu and water hyacinth and thereby reduce dependence on herbicides? Is it possible to develop a low-cost and easy-to-implement mushroom-growing kit that would provide high-quality edible protein and bioremediation in the wake of a natural disaster? How can we advance our understanding of morel cultivation so that growers stand a better chance of success? For more than twenty years, mycology expert Tradd Cotter has been pondering these questions and conducting trials in search of the answers. In Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation, Cotter not only offers readers an in-depth exploration of best organic mushroom cultivation practices; he shares the results of his groundbreaking research and offers myriad ways to apply your cultivation skills and further incorporate mushrooms into your life―whether your goal is to help your community clean up industrial pollution or simply to settle down at the end of the day with a cold Reishi-infused homebrew ale. Inside, you’ll find: The Fundamentals of Mushroom Cultivation Innovative Applications and Projects Using Fungi Basic Laboratory Construction, Equipment, and Procedures Starting Cultures and Spawn Generation Detailed descriptions of over 25 different genus The book first guides readers through an in-depth exploration of indoor and outdoor cultivation. Covered skills range from integrating wood-chip beds spawned with king stropharia into your garden and building a “trenched raft” of hardwood logs plugged with shiitake spawn to producing oysters indoors on spent coffee grounds in a 4×4 space or on pasteurized sawdust in vertical plastic columns. For those who aspire to the self-sufficiency gained by generating and expanding spawn rather than purchasing it, Cotter offers in-depth coverage of lab techniques, including low-cost alternatives that make use of existing infrastructure and materials. Cotter also reports his groundbreaking research cultivating morels both indoors and out, “training” mycelium to respond to specific contaminants, and perpetuating spawn on cardboard without the use of electricity. Readers will discover information on making tinctures, powders, and mushroom-infused honey; making an antibacterial mushroom cutting board; and growing mushrooms on your old denim jeans. Geared toward readers who want to grow mushrooms without the use of pesticides, Cotter takes “organic” one step further by introducing an entirely new way of thinking―one that looks at the potential to grow mushrooms on just about anything, just about anywhere, and by anyone. "This comprehensive introduction to growing and utilizing fungi has something for all mushroom-inclined readers . . . . Both practical and passionate, Cotter offers extensive and detailed information.”—Publishers Weekly

The average productivity of most horticultural crops in India is low. There is a wide gap between yields obtained and potential yields with improved varieties and technologies. Programmes, therefore, need to be taken up to reduce the yield gap by improving productivity. The present book deals with productivity enhancing technologies such as use of high yielding varieties/hybrids, high density planting, micro-irrigation, fertigation, protected cultivation, bio-regulators, biotechnological approaches, integrated nutrient, weed, pest, disease and nematode management in general and crop-wise in particular. The book is illustrated with excellent quality photographs enhancing the quality of publication. The book is written in lucid style, easy to understand language along with adoptable recommendations for enhancing the productivity.

This volume, Temperate Fruits: Production, Processing, and Marketing, presents the latest pomological research on the production, postharvest handling, processing and storage, and information on marketing for a selection of temperate fruits. These include apple, pear, quince, peach, plum, sweet cherry, kiwifruit, strawberry, mulberry, and chestnut. With chapters from fruit experts from different countries of the world, the book provides the latest information on the effect of climate change on fruit production, organic fruit growing and advanced fruit breeding, the nutraceutical value and bioactive compounds in fruits and their role in human health, and new and advanced methods of fruit production. Topics include microirrigation, sustainable nutrient management, crop protection and plant health management, and farm mechanization.