Provides all the information needed to understand rootstocks as they develop in temperate tree fruit crops, as well as in citrus and grapes. Includes treatment of roots as well as the rootstocks of apples, pears, peaches, cherries, almonds, apricots, plums, citrus, pecans, juglans, and vitis. Covers specific characteristics and uses of each rootstock, propagation procedures used to produce rootstocks and trees, and specific compatibilities and stock-scion interactions. Outlines the pros and cons of every rootstock application covered. Features end-of-chapter tables that briefly summarize key characteristics of the specific rootstock discussed.

The aim of this book is to provide practical information on rootstocks (and interstems) to all people who are active in the fruit industry. The text is about four fruit species: apple, pear, cherry and European plum. The emphasis is on orchard performance of the rootstocks. Many rootstocks currently used or tried for these fruit crops are mentioned in passing.

This book was first published in 1991 and was well received by students, teachers and researchers in many universities and institutes in India and abroad. In the past 28 years (since its first publication), tremendous progress have been made in temperate fruit research, notably in developing varieties and rootstocks, canopy management, understanding the flowering physiology, storage technology, biological control of pests and diseases, resistance breeding, biotechnology, etc., Revision of the book with updated information was considered necessary. In the process of a comprehensive literature survey it was felt impossible to compile all the information in one volume. This enlarged edition on temperate fruits is, therefore, published in tow volumes. The first volume consists of pome and stone fruits (apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots and cherries) in more than 550 pages. The second volume deals with temperate nuts and berries (almonds, chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnut, strawberries, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blueberries and cranberries) in about 650 pages. Apart from through revision with updated scientific information on various aspects of mentioned pome, stone, nuts and berries, substantial reorganization of the text has been made. Emphasis has been laid to include released cultivars and rootstocks, recent trends in propagation and orchard management, pruning and canopy management, nutrition and tissue analysis, water management, improved technology for harvesting, postharvest handling, storage and ripening. Special emphasis has been laid to include the development in breeding and improvement through biotechnological approaches like molecular markers, genetic transformation, genetic map and microbes for N and P input. Other information like organic production technology, protected cultivation and impact of climate change are included, where sufficient information is available. Though the subject is vast, this two volumes book presents the concepts in a condensed, informative and lucid manner. It will be immense help to the students, teachers and researchers of horticulture, plant science, plant physiology and plant protection.

This book provides comprehensive and current scientific and practical knowledge on vegetable grafting, a method gaining considerable interest as an alternative to the use of fumigants to protect crops from soil-borne diseases.