Description

PREFACE

Agriculture is the largest enterprise in India which has been and will continue to be the lifeline of the Indian economy in the foreseeable future. However, due to urbanization, agricultural land is shrinking and human population is increasing year by year. So, there is a need for vertical increase in agricultural produce to feed the increasing population.

Horticulture plays an important part in today’s agriculture and there are new avenues that are being achieved by horticulture. The subject has transformed from only being about vegetables, fruits, flowers and postharvest technology and has moved towards disease, breeding, pathology, physiology, greenhouse technologies and other areas which were never heard for. The book “Hi-Tech Horticulture” has been worked out keeping the above mentioned issues in mind with contribution by eminent professors and scientists

This book demonstrates applications of the basic principles of horticulture and illustrates how they can be used systematically to define—and eventually control—existing phenomena. It comprises of various practices for evaluating the technologies used in horticulture. It will meet the growing need of students, teachers, and researchers alike in the field of horticulture and those working in agricultural universities and other related private firms.

It discusses horticulture technology interventions like good agricultural practices like, optimum planting density, micro-irrigation, fertigation, precision horticulture, protected cultivation, technology, and the importance of attaining food and nutritional security through hi-tech horticulture and profitable marketing of horticultural produce is also discussed.

This book will be of immense value to the scientific community involved in teaching, research and extension activities related to hi-tech horticulture strategies for enhancing productivity in enhancing farmers’ income, food, and nutrition and livelihood security. The material can be used for teaching postgraduate courses. The book can also serve as a very useful reference to policymakers and practicing farmers.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

This book highlights the underlying principles and outlines some of the key hi-tech practices and technology interventions required to achieve enhanced productivity.

The book titled “Hi-Tech Cultivation of Horticultural Crops” provides a comprehensive overview of both the theoretical and practical aspects of protected cultivation, presented in a concise and straightforward manner. It places special emphasis on key topics such as the scope and significance of protected cultivation, polyhouse structures, growing media, Hi-Tech Nursery, Management of Horticultural Crops,   Mechanised harvesting of  Horticultural Crops, Advancement in Micropropagation Techniques for Horticultural Crops, Modern Field Preparations and Planting Methods, Protected Cultivation, Precision horticulture Strategies, Micro Irrigation Systems and Fertigation, Canopy Management, High Density Plantings and Mechanized Harvesting, Precision Farming and Remote Sensing, Additionally, the book covers essential chapters on the protected cultivation of crops like tomato, cucumber, capsicum, cut roses, carnation, gerberas, lilies, orchids, anthuriums, and strawberries. It also addresses pest and disease management and specialized practices used in protected cultivation. This book demonstrates applications of the basic principles of horticulture and illustrates how they can be used systematically to define—and eventually control—existing phenomena. It comprises of various practices for evaluating the technologies used in horticulture.

This book is expected to be an invaluable resource for those involved in protected cultivation, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, educators, and extension workers in the field of horticulture. It will meet the growing need of students, teachers, and researchers alike in the field of horticulture and those working in agricultural universities and other related private firms.

The book will be very helpful for B.Sc. Agriculture students throughout the country as it covers nearly the entire syllabus for ‘HI-TECH HORTICULTURE course framed by ICAR as suggested by 6^th Dean’s Committee.

 

CONTENTS

S.No.	TITLE	Page No.
Preface		3
About the Authors		4
Syllabus		5
About the Book		6
CHAPTERS
1	Importance of Hitech Horticulture	9-12
2	Nursery Management	13-35
3	Micro Propagation	36-61
4	Field Preparation and Planting	62-89
5	Protected Cultivation	90-124
6	Micro Irrigation	125-164
7	Fertigation	165-185
8	Canopy Management	186-213
9	High Density Planting System	214-224
10	Precision Farming in Horticulture	225-243
11	Remote Sensing	244-297
12	Global Positioning Ststem (GPS) & DGPS	298-311
13	Variable Rate Technologies	312-325
14	Precision Farming in Horticultural Crops	326-349
15	Mechanized Harvesting of Produce	350-369
LITERATURE CITED		370-376

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prof.  Dr. L.L. Somani is retired Director Resident Instructions MPUAT, Udaipur. He has organised the first ever seminar on Natural Farming (1992) and subsequently a National Symposium on Organic Farming (2001). He has authored several books like textbook of commercial production of spices and plantation crops, production technology of cool season vegetable crops, production technology of spices and plantation crops, commercial vegetable production,  textbook on post-harvest managemebt of fruit crops, commercial production of flower crops, production technologies for horticultural crops, principles of hortuiculture, textbook of landscaping, textbook of commercial floriculture, textbook of ornamental horticulture, textbook of orchard and estate management, Handbook of Biofertilisers, Biodynamic Organic Farming, Composting Technology, Vermicomposting & Vermiwash, and Handbook on Green Manuring, Green Manuring for Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Recycling and Bioinoculants, etc.