Cucurbits: Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Among the leading vegetable producing countries in the world, India ranks second only after China. Vegetables play pivotal role in mitigating nutritional requirement of the society as well as providing employment opportunity specially in the agriculture dominated rural agrarian economy of the developing countries like India. Among different kinds of vegetables, cucurbits are a diverse group of vegetables (include pumpkin, bitter gourd, water melon, cucumber, pointed gourd, ridge gourd, bottle gourd etc) cultivated widely all over the South Asian countries including Indian sub-continent. These are basically worm season crops and fetch several biotic and abiotic stresses during their life stages. These stresses considerably affect yield potentiality of several cucurbitaceous vegetables quantitatively as well as qualitatively. Climatic changes and increment in cropping intensity reflected in a remarkable and rapid shift of vegetable ecosystem that ultimately increasing these stresses day by day. Biotic stresses like insect, mite and nematode pests etc. are the most significant biotic stresses which are responsible limiting yield reduction as well as quality deterioration of produces. Application of hazardous toxic chemicals to combat the pest problems of cucurbits not only results in residual toxicity in vegetables but also destabilising agro-ecosystem. Again, due to change in climatic condition and introduction of modern agro-technology these problems are becoming very very complex. In this perspectives, updated and alternative information with regard to crop management of cucurbits is a dire need of the hour for successful and remunerative cucurbit production. The book covers all the issues related with these aspects like insect pests, diseases, mites, nematode parasites weeds, environmental stresses, nutrients elaborately with latest information, findings ect.

It will be helpful for agricultural students (both UG as well as PG level including Ph. D.) in India and abroad, horticultural experts, extension workers, policy makers etc. Latest available literatures, ideas, thoughts on these aspects has been incorporated. Related colour photographs has also been incorporated. It will be a treasure of knowledge with regard to management of cucurbitaceous vegetables for better productivity and remunerative cultivation.