The book contains the information on importance and scope of area expansion of arid and minor fruits in the problematic soils, waste lands and non-areable lands. The information on nutritional value, anti-oxidant properties, taxonomic positions, bio-diversity, plant regeneration techniques, production technologies, phenology, post harvest handling, processing and value addition on 21 arid and semi arid fruits which are now picking up has been presented in this book. Latest information and data base with the help of pictures, tables, graphs and sketches on these fruit crops have been depicted in the book.
Prof. Vishal Nath, Ph.D. has completed his Master’s degree in Horticulture from Narendra Dev University of Agricultural and Technology, Faizabad and Ph.D. (Hort.) from Kanpur. He started his career as Scientist (Hort.) from Central Institute for Sub-tropical Horticulture, Lucknow in 1993 and worked as Scientist at NRC for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner, Senior Scientist (Hort.) at Central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Ranchi and Horticulture and Agro-forestry Research Programme, Ranchi and moved as Professor (Horticulture) at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. Prof. Vishal Nath is presently working as Principal Scientist & Head, Central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Bhubaneswar since 01.07.2006. Prof. Vishal Nath has exclusively worked on fruits of major and minor importance being grown in arid and semi-arid regions and under waste land conditions. He has developed many technologies and varieties of different fruit and vegetable crops suitable for resource poor areas. Apart from his contribution to National Agricultural Research System (NARS), he has exposure to Hi-tech Horticulture being practiced in developed countries like Israel. He has written many technical bulletins, extension folders and information brochures on various aspects. Prof. Vishal Nath has authored very important books on aird horticulture, Litchi and Fruit Production Technology for Plateau regions which has been widely appreciated by the readers and farmers. Prof. Vishal Nath has more than 250 publications on different horticultural crops and related aspects in his credit which includes research papers, popular article, technical bulletins, research manuals and information bulletins. Prof. Vishal Nath has wider experience of research, extension and teaching across the country and conferred with Fellow of Hill Horticulture Development Society, Horticultural Society of India and Bharat Jyoti Award.
Dr. Dinesh Kumar, has completed his Master’s and Ph.D. degree from Narendra Dev University of Agricultural and Technology, Faizabad. He worked as Scientist (Horticulture) at CSWCRTI, Dehradun and its regional stations at Koraput and Agra, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) at Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Bhubaneswar. Presently, he is working as Principal Scientist (Horticulture) at Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar. Dr. Dinesh Kumar has wide experience on fruit crops of minor importance.
He has generated many technologies and identified varieties of different fruit crops suitable for resource poor areas. He has written several research papers, technical bulletins, extension folders and information brochures on these aspects.
Dr. Vikramaditya Pandey has completed his Master’s degree from Chandra Sekhar Azad University of Agricultural and Technology, Kanpur and Ph.D. degree from BHU, Varanasi. Dr. V. Pandey has been working at Central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Bhubaneswar earlier as Scientist (Horticulture) during 1996-2005 and thereafter Senior Scientist (Fruit Crops).
Dr. V. Pandey has wide experience in different fruit crops. He has generated informations on various minor fruits which can find important place in the future. He has been associated in development of te'chnologies for rainfed horticulture and evaluated varieties of different fruit crops suitable for resource poor areas. He has written several technical bulletins, extension folders and information brochures in various languages on these aspects. He has more than 50 publications in his credit.
