The agricultural paradigm is already undergoing a shift in focus from food security towards nutritional quality. Horticultural crops besides improving biological productivity and nutritional standards also have enormous export potential. This group of crops comprising fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, plantation crops, medicinal and aromatic plants, spices and condiments and ornamental crops, would constitute core of any such agro-economic strategy. In addition to supplementing the economy and national food grid by providing fresh and processed fruits, vegetable, nuts etc., horticultural crops also help to promote diversification. Depletion of plant genetic resources in areas of diversity at a rapid pace is a matter of global concern. This book profiles all scientific management aspects of the horticultural crop genetic resources including their diversity, conservation and sustainable utilization. It also addresses vital concerns regarding management of horticultural crop genetic resources from diverse perspectives and provides recommendations for action in certain areas of research that must be pursued with intensity. The publication would serve as a valuable comprehensive scientific reference for breeders, researchers, teachers, students and policy makers in biology and agriculture.

The conservation of crop genetic resources is one of the important elements in efforts to sustainably increase agricultural production in low-income countries, and to guarantee long-term food security, especially for the low-income population groups in these countries. Horticultural crops, as high-value crops, have an important role to play in revitalizing rural economies and can add significantly to national economies. Moreover, horticulture provides more than twice the number of jobs compared to traditional cereal crop production, and the shifting of conventional agriculture towards high-value horticulture has increased employment opportunities in developing countries. To exploit this potential, researchers need a vast array of horticultural genetic resources and information on new traits. Horticultural crops, which are only a part of PGRFA (Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture), are characterized by a wide and varied range of species. In fact, there are five major horticultural crop groups: fruit and nut crops, vegetables, food legumes, roots and tubers, and lastly the ornamental and medicinal group. In this context, the present book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of conservation and utilization of horticultural genetic resources, addressing contemporary approaches to conservation in connection with different technologies, including biotechnological approaches as practised in India and in some cases, globally. It includes a brief chapter on the unique nature of horticultural genetic resources, providing a rationale for viewing them as being distinct from field crop genetic resources. Subsequent chapters share insights on protocols for the conservation of selected horticultural crops ex situ, and focus on the increased need to complement these efforts with in situ conservation approaches. Geospatial tools are also briefly described, emphasizing their utility with regard to mapping and managing resources. The book also explores the wild gene pool in horticulture crops; discusses legal aspects related to horticultural genetic resources and biotechnological aspects; and describes the key aspects of sustainable management and replenishment. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable resource for all horticulturists, graduate students, researchers, policymakers, conservationists, and NGOs engaged in horticulture in particular and biodiversity in general.

The conservation of crop genetic resources is one of the important elements in efforts to sustainably increase agricultural production in low-income countries, and to guarantee long-term food security, especially for the low-income population groups in these countries. Horticultural crops, as high-value crops, have an important role to play in revitalizing rural economies and can add significantly to national economies. Moreover, horticulture provides more than twice the number of jobs compared to traditional cereal crop production, and the shifting of conventional agriculture towards high-value horticulture has increased employment opportunities in developing countries. To exploit this potential, researchers need a vast array of horticultural genetic resources and information on new traits. Horticultural crops, which are only a part of PGRFA (Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture), are characterized by a wide and varied range of species. In fact, there are five major horticultural crop groups: fruit and nut crops, vegetables, food legumes, roots and tubers, and lastly the ornamental and medicinal group. In this context, the present book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of conservation and utilization of horticultural genetic resources, addressing contemporary approaches to conservation in connection with different technologies, including biotechnological approaches as practised in India and in some cases, globally. It includes a brief chapter on the unique nature of horticultural genetic resources, providing a rationale for viewing them as being distinct from field crop genetic resources. Subsequent chapters share insights on protocols for the conservation of selected horticultural crops ex situ, and focus on the increased need to complement these efforts with in situ conservation approaches. Geospatial tools are also briefly described, emphasizing their utility with regard to mapping and managing resources. The book also explores the wild gene pool in horticulture crops; discusses legal aspects related to horticultural genetic resources and biotechnological aspects; and describes the key aspects of sustainable management and replenishment. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable resource for all horticulturists, graduate students, researchers, policymakers, conservationists, and NGOs engaged in horticulture in particular and biodiversity in general.

The present book is the second volume in the series Underutilized and Underexploited Horticultural Crops edited by Prof. K.V.Peter. As in the 1st volume the present volume also covers 6 chapters on underexploited fruits, 5 on vegetables, 1 on tuber crops, 3 each on flowers and trees and 2 on spices. Dr. Bhuwon Sthapit, IPGRI, Malaysia contributes a chapter on In Situ Conservation of Horticultural Crops. Underutilized fruits of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are dealt with in detail by Dr. D.R. Singh, Giant Granadilla, Apricot, Low Chilling Peaches, Aonla and Ber are dealt by eminent scientists in respective crops. Dr. Umesh Srivastava, ICAR, New Delhi deals Genetic Resource Management in Cucurbits. Dr. Samadia from Central Institute of Arid Horticulture, Bikaner writes on Arid Vegetables. Dr. S.K. Pandey, Director, CPRI, Shimla elaborates Taxonomy of Temperate Underutilized Root and Tuber Crops. Underutilized flowers surrounding the homesteads are narrated by Dr. U. Sreelatha, Kerala Agricultural University. An overview on Liliums is given by Dr. K. Valliappan, Mahua, Chironji and Drumstick are the trees dealt with. Turmeric and Long Coriander are elucidated by Dr. A.M. Rao and Dr. P. Indira respectively.

This book in the series “Sustainable Development and Biodiversity” contains peer-reviewed chapters from leading academicians and researchers around the world in the field of horticulture, plant taxonomy, plant biotechnology, genetics and related areas of biodiversity science centered on genetic diversity. This book includes original research reviews (national, regional and global) and case studies in genetic diversity in fruits and vegetables, horticulture, and ecology from sub-tropical and tropical regions. It is unique as it covers a wide array of topics covering global interests and will constitute valuable reference material for students, researchers, extension specialists, farmers and certification agencies who are concerned with biodiversity, ecology and sustainable development.