Introduction to Fruit Crops

Find vital facts and information on a wide range of fruit crops—without having to read the entire chapter!Introduction to Fruit Crops combines an easy-to-use format with a complete review of essential facts about the worlds top fruit crops, making this both the premiere introductory textbook for students AND a superior reference book for avid gardeners, country agents, and horticulture educators. Each fruit is studied and clearly explained through its taxonomy, origin, history of cultivation, production, botanical description, optimum soil and climate, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. The book provides a comprehensive introductory section on fruit culture and, in following chapters, a standard outline for each crop to allow readers to find facts rapidly without having to read the entire chapter. This invaluable text includes detailed references and reading lists, making this a perfect addition for reference in university libraries.Pomology, the branch of botany that studies the cultivation of fruits, has unique facts and features not found in the studies of other cultivated crops. Introduction to Fruit Crops takes these unique pomological concepts and important facts about the most popular cultivated fruits of the world and presents them in a consistent reader-friendly format that is readily understandable to beginning students. Professionals in the plant or agriculture sciences will find this text to be a powerful reference tool to answer their questions and find facts quickly and easily. Other issues explored include preventative measures from pests and diseases and practical cultivation strategies to best encourage maximum yield for each crop. Tables, graphs, and a multitude of color photographs assist readers to completely understand crucial information and the various stages of fruit growth for each crop. A detailed appendix explains common names, scientific names, and families of fruit crops. Another appendix presents conversion factors used in the text. A glossary helps beginners by clearly explaining common terms used in fruit crop study. Introduction to Fruit Crops includes information on: scientific names folklore medicinal properties non-food usage production botanical description plant morphology pollination soils climate propagation rootstocks planting design, training, and pruning pest problems—including weeds, insects, mites, and diseases harvest and postharvest handling food usesSome of the crops described include: African oil palm banana orange grape apple coconut coffee strawberry nuts olives and many, many others!This one text provides an extensive, easily understandable overview of the processes for growing healthy fruit in todays world for beginners and is a valuable desk reference for plant science professionals of all types.

Chapter 1. Introduction to Fruit Crops and Overview of the Text “Fruit Crop” Defined Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet, Food Uses Chapter 2. Almond (Prunus dulcis) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 3. Apple (Malus domestica) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 4. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 5. Banana and Plantain (Musa spp.) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 6. Blackberries and Raspberries (Rubus spp.) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 7. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 8. Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 9. Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 10. Cherry (Prunus avium, Prunus cerasus) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 11. Citrus Fruits (Citrus spp.) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 12. Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 13. Coffee (Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 14. Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 15. Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 16. Grapes (Vitis spp.) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 17. Hazelnut or Filbert (Corylus avellana) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 18. Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia, Macadamia tetraphylla) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 19. Mango (Mangifera indica) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 20. Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 21. Olive (Olea europaea) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 22. Papaya (Carica papaya) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 23. Peach (Prunus persica) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 24. Pears (Pyrus communis, Pyrus pyrifolia) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 25. Pecan (Carya illinoensis) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 26. Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 27. Pistachio (Pistacia vera) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 28. Plums (Prunus domestica, Prunus salicina) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 29. Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Chapter 30. Walnuts (Juglans spp.) Taxonomy Origin, History of Cultivation Folklore, Medicinal Properties, Nonfood Usage Production Botanical Description General Culture Harvest, Postharvest Handling Contribution to Diet Appendix A. Common and Scientific Names of Fruit Crops Appendix B. Useful Conversion Factors Appendix C. List of Illustrations Glossary Index Reference Notes Included