Management of Horticultural Crops

Horticultural crops are high value crops ensuring maximum returns to the growers with multiple scopes for value addition. Market driven agriculture prescribes quality in every stage of production and total quality management is a challenge to the horticulturist. Present volume on ‘horticultural crop management’ elaborates the scientific crop management of horticultural crops starting from selection of soil and activities related to production and handling of fresh produces in the field. Scope of value addition, organic farming, protected cultivation, export potential and economic analysis of production are included. The average per capita availability of fruits and vegetables in India is inadequate to meet requirements for nutritional and protective diet of the population. Of the total horticulture production, only 67 % is used for local consumption while 30 % is subjected to post harvest losses, 2 % for export and 0.8 % for processing. There is immense scope for developing horticultural produce market. Changing food habits, life styles and health consciousness and purchasing power have created an unprecedented opportunity for farmers and horticultural entrepreneuThis book is an attempt to link all stake holders in horticulture to the scientific information on horticultural crop management. First part of the volume deals with management of fruits, vegetables and flowers while second part elaborates plantation crops and spices.