Commercial crops comprises of crops grown on a plantation scale and are of pivotal importance to the economy and export trade of many developing and developed countries. Commercial crops with long history of cultivation and active support of research and developmental efforts have made great strides in technological advancements. At regular intervals it is necessary to take stock of newly acquired knowledge in crop production and to reason out age-old experience. The book ‘Commercial Crops Technology’ comprehends the scattered information and provides latest technological advances in nine crops grown on a plantation scale. The book is organized into 10 chapters with an introductory chapter and one chapter each allotted to nine commercial crops (Areca Nut, Cashew, Cocoa, Coconut, Coffee, Oil palm, Palmyra, Rubber and Tea). Chapters have been designed keeping view of the rapid progress and challenges in the field of sustainable crop production. Product diversification has also been given due importance in the light of globalisation and free trade. The introductory chapter gives an insight into the present scenario of plantation crop production, its importance, geographical distribution, soils growing, integrated nutrient management, crop protection strategies, cropping and farming systems, management of drought, organic farming, clean development mechanism, implications of IPR and strategies and recommendations. Individual chapters on crops covers updated information on crop improvement, biotechnology, crop production and management, crop protection and post harvest handling with emphasis on integrated nutrient and pest management, organic crop production and value addition, besides providing basic information on origin and distribution, production trends, botany and R and D institutions. Future outlook on these crops would enable to chalk out achievable programmes and projects. The bibliography facilitates further reading. This publication will be useful to everyone who are associated with commercial crops – farmers, estate managers, extension workers, technologists, policy makers, researchers and students.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alice Kurian
Dr. Alice Kurian is a senior faculty in the field of medicinal plants at Kerala Agricultural University. As an academician, she handles both the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in plantation crops, spices, medicinal and Aromatic Plants and imparts postgraduate guidance. An outstanding researcher, she has put in 28 years of experience in ex situ conservation of genetic diversity, crop improvement and cropping system research in spices and medicinal plants. She has acted in the capacity of Principal Investigator of externally aided projects funded by DBT and ICAR. She has to her credit five released varieties in spices and medicinal plants. She serves as an expert in technology transfer of medicinal plants at KAU and acts as resource person for the trainings and seminars on the subject. Dr. Kurian has participated and presented research papers in several national and international seminars including the one Managing Plant Genetic Diversity in the 21st century organized by IPGRI and held at Kuala-Lumpur. A CD on ‘Medicinal Plants for Home Remedies’ published by her is a pictorial guide for the identification of plants in folk uses. She is also a senior editor of a book on medicinal plants in Malayalam for farming community. She has also published 44 research papers and contributed chapters in four books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR K V Peter
Prof. K.V. Peter , Ph.D, is Former VC of KAU in Trichur, India and Coordinator of the Department of Biotechnology (GOI) funded projects on plantation crops and spices. Prof. Peter is a horticulturist, a plant breeder and an acknowledged research manager. He is the former Director for the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut (ICAR) and former Professor and Director of Research, KAU. Professor Peter is the editor of seven books and author or co-author of thirteen books/bulletins and 132 research papers. The ICAR conferred on Prof. Peter the Rafi Ahamed Kidwai Prize, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences awarded the Recognition Award 1999 for contributions to crop improvement, and the University of Agricultural Sciences conferred the M.H. Marygowda Award for being the Best Horticultural Scientist. Prof. Peter is the Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.
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