Systematics Of Fruit Crops

"Taxonomists dealing with fruit crops have rated systematic pomology as an advanced horticultural subject and takes into consideration the basic aspects of taxonomy i.e. identification, naming of fruit plant species and varieties, besides, placements or logical classification of each fruit type under specific units of classification. For sound horticultural systematic knowledge primarily those of taxonomy, morphology, genetics, cytology and plant breeding is essential. For good reading material it is essential for systematic pomologists to use information of the associated sciences with appropriate explanations and applications. The present work provides elementary knowledge to the students who have started studying systematic pomology and covers: Introduction (three sub-heads) presents the more academic elements of taxonomy related to the theories, hypothesis, basic principles pre-requisite of systematics which are required for a minimum working knowledge of systematic pomology. The detail regarding general origin and distribution, flower and fruit structure is given so that students with this background knowledge are in a position to cope with problems related both to varietal descriptions and testing. Significance of systematic pomology to varietal improvement, new variety sources and methods of synthesis are detailed. The section 1-4 comprises of systematic enumeration of 58 fruits, discussed under the heads of tropical and subtropical, small fruits, nut fruits and temperate fruits. Each crop covers in detail the historical background, origin, distribution and uses, pomological traits of fruit, important species and cultivars and line drawings of flowers and fruits structures. List of cultivars is restricted to popular cultivars as the cultivation status is ever changing. The glossary and annexures are designed with thrust on clarity and brevity. The annexures provide detailed information of fruit crops, fruit types, genera, species and tribes, their number and status in fruit crop families. Botanical terms chart provides morphological description of leaf, floral structure and form, inflorescence root and rootstock for easily understanding by the readers."

Systematic Pomology is basic course for the post graduate students taught all over India. Though understanding of the systematic position of the fruit crops are imperative not only for the student but all those who are involved for the development of the horticulture especially plant breeder, geneticist, cytologist, botanist, chemist, entomologist, plant pathologist, taxonomist and paleo-bitanist.

The book is aimed to be a treatise on the ‘Systematic Pomology’, the primary component of science of fruits, dealing with identification, nomenclature and classification of fruit species based on the descriptions of characteristics related to their morphological, genetical, physiological, biochemical, biotechnological and eco-attributes. Besides taxonomic narrative of each species under the respective orders and genera, considerable emphasis has been laid on cultivars. The treatment is based on the latest version of Nomenclature and Phylogenetic System of Classification (APG III). The book is richly illustrated with diagrams and colour plates and carries fairly exhaustive bibliography and glossary. Thus, the book is of high academic value for research workers/teachers, students and anyone interested in advanced fruit culture to provide insight in identifying and classifying fruit plants, providing standard nomenclature and terminology, in avoiding the confusion from synonymy and promoting correct labeling, to understand their genetic relations, in establishing or maintaining a garden, a germplasm block, a research orchard or even herbaria, in identification of new genotypes or cultivars for introduction and in deciding orchard management practices as well as methods of utilization, in using the correct related cultivars kept in a genetic resources repository for improvement considering the limits of hybridization, and in selecting genetic material for a breeding programme considering their taxonomic proximities and specific characters related to fruit bearing, regularity, nutritive and edible quality, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and plant stature and form.

This book is the second volume of a three volume reference set that will provide comprehensive information on breeding commercial horticultural crops. In a systematic way, it deals with the history and commercial importance of each fruit, the origin and early development of cultivation, regional characteristics, breeding objectives, fruit characteristics such as color, shape and disease resistance. Volume II deals with, for example, citrus fruits, avocados, and kiwifruits.

As a member of the working group (WG) on "Temperate Zone Fruit Trees in the Tropics and Subtropics" of the International Society for Horticulture, I was aware of the lack of readily available information needed in many warm-climate locations where temperate fruit crops are grown. The founder of this WG, Frank Dennis, Jr. , was motivated to encourage knowledge transfer by sharing knowledge with many developing countries. We shared his drive and in presenting this book we believe we are doing a service to all persons interested in temperate fruits, but especially to those in tropical and subtropical countries, many of which are developing countries interested in growing these crops and lacking the knowledge needed. In this book, we have collected information covering a variety of different aspects of growing temperate fruit crops in warm climates. As this is the first time such an evaluation of these species has been done, interesting and novel aspects of tree development and fruiting are presented, with stress on elements like dormancy and irrigation that are not of such basic concern in the natural of the temperate zones. We are living in a transition age; horticultural studies habitat are changing and expertise such as can be found in the array of participants in this book is probably not going to be easily found in the future. I hope that this book will broaden our understanding of the fruiting Temperate Zone tree in general and of its adaptation to warm climates, in particular.

Fruit Breeding is the eighth volume in the Handbook of Plant Breeding series. Like the other volumes in the series, this volume presents information on the latest scientific information in applied plant breeding using the current advances in the field, from an efficient use of genetic resources to the impact of biotechnology in plant breeding. The majority of the volume showcases individual crops, complemented by sections dealing with important aspects of fruit breeding as trends, marketing and protection of new varieties, health benefits of fruits and new crops in the horizon. The book also features contributions from outstanding scientists for each crop species. Maria Luisa Badenes Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Valencia, Spain David Byrne Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA