The Biology Of Horticulture

This comprehensive book provides a thorough scientific foundation on the growth and care of plants common to all horticultural commodities. Continuing in the tradition of the first edition, it incorporates the principles behind the techniques described in other ''how-to'' horticulture texts. By providing readers with a thorough grounding in the science of horticulture, it successfully prepares them for more specialized studies in nursery management, floriculture, landscaping, vegetable and fruit science.

Biology of Apples and Pears is a comprehensive reference book on all aspects of pomology at the organ, tree and orchard level for researchers, students, fruit farmers and technical advisors. It describes the production of fruit with regard to key commercial factors, and under both temperate and tropical environmental conditions.

Information on the evolution, taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, physiology and genetics of grapevines has been scarce and thinly spread in the literature on horticulture and the plant sciences. This book aims to provide a concise but comprehensive overview of the biology and cultivation of the grapevine, accessible to all concerned with viticulture. After a description of the essential features of viticulture, including a concise history from antiquity to modern times, the taxonomy of the grapevine and the evolutionary processes which gave rise to the diversity within the Vitaceae is considered. Particular attention is paid to the genera Vitis and Muscadinia, which are considered a reserve of genetic variation for the improvement of grapevines. A description of the vegetative and reproductive anatomy of the grapevine precedes a full discussion of the developmental and environmental physiology of these fascinating and economically important plants. The concluding chapter considers the potential for genetic improvement of grapevines and includes coverage of the problems encountered, and the methods and strategies employed in breeding for scions and rootstocks.

Biology of Citrus provides a concise and comprehensive discussion of all major developmental, genetic and horticultural aspects of citriculture in an easily readable text. The book deals with the history, distribution and climatic adaptation of the crop, followed by taxonomy and systematics, including a horticultural classification of edible citrus species. Subsequent chapters cover tree structure and function, reproductive physiology, including flowering, fruiting, productivity, ripening, post-harvest and fruit constituents. The main aspects of cultivated citrus, such as rootstocks, irrigation, pests, viruses and diseases are dealt with, leading to a concluding chapter that considers genetic improvement, including the use of tissue culture and plant biotechnology. The book includes many specially produced original illustrations and the extensive reading lists will make it invaluable for students and citrus specialists.

This comprehensive reference on all aspects of pomology at the organ, tree and orchard level describes the main varieties and rootstocks, and the factors controlling their growth, cropping, fruit quality, storage life, fertilizer and irrigation needs. It emphasizes the principles underlying modern high-density planting and the production of fruits in environments ranging from temperate to tropical. The book will be suitable for fruit farmers and technical advisors as well as scientific researchers and students of pomology and horticulture.

"A thorough update and the introduction of new topics such as biodiversity and conservation has greatly enhanced this new edition: it is a 'must read' for all interested in horticulture and gardening." —John MacLeod, RHS Professor of Horticulture Most conventional gardening books concentrate on how and when to carry out horticultural tasks such as pruning, seed sowing and taking cuttings. This book is unique in explaining in straightforward terms some of the science that underlies these practices. It is principally a book of 'Why' – Why are plants green? Why should one cut beneath a leaf node when taking cuttings? Why do plants need so much water? But it also goes on to deal with the 'How', providing rationale behind the practical advice. The coverage is wide-ranging and comprehensive and includes the basic structure and functioning of garden plants, nomenclature, genetics and plant breeding, soil management, environmental factors affecting growth, methods of propagation and production, pest and disease control, post harvest management and storage, and conservation and sustainable horticulture. Now with full colour throughout, the second edition provides the reader with: Completely revised and updated chapters from the first edition, with new information and clearer focus on the topics Four new chapters, dealing with matters that have become of increasing concern since the first edition, namely: Diversity in the Plant World; Conservation and Sustainable Gardening; Gardens and the Natural World; and Gardens for Science Published on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society, this book remains a key text for those sitting RHS examinations, particularly at levels 2 and 3; it will also appeal to gardeners, growers and scientists. Key Features Bestselling essential text for all horticulture students Edited and written by a group of highly regarded scientists Covers the scientific information of greatest importance to gardeners and horticulturists Jargon-free scientific explanations, a comprehensive glossary, and copious colour illustrations Royalties from the sale of this book go towards the charitable work of the RHS, promoting horticulture and helping gardeners. www.rhs.org.uk

The purpose of this publication is to elucidate the biological aspect of the abiotic stress response from the field to the molecular level in horticultural plants. This book is unique in that it concerns the basic aspect of abiotic stress biology and research progress at the molecular level in model plants or major field crops, as it focuses mainly on the abiotic stress response in existing horticultural plants. Many readers interested in plant abiotic stress biology are aware of the application of the latest findings to agricultural production, and this book will have a special appeal for those readers. The book will be of interest to scientists and graduate students who are involved in the research, development, production, processing, and marketing of horticultural products, including those in developing countries who are interested in high tech and advanced science in this field. The application of the latest findings to agricultural production is particularly useful. Stress tolerance mechanisms in horticultural crops are gaining importance, because most agricultural regions are predicted to experience considerably more extreme environmental fluctuations due to global climate change. Further, because of recent progress in next-generation sequencing technologies, the postgenomic era is impending not only in model plants and major cereal crops but also in horticultural crops, which comprise a great diversity of species. This book provides information on the physiological aspects of the abiotic stress response in horticultural plants, which is considered essential for postgenomic research.

The ultimate goal of crop production is to provide quality produce to consumers at reasonable rates. Most fresh produce is highly perishable, and postharvest losses are significant under the present methods of management in many countries. However, significant achievements have been made during the last few years to curtail postharvest losses in fr