The book entitled “A Text Book of Fruit Crops: Mineral Nutrition and Physiological Disorders” is designed to address the recent advancement in nutrition of fruit crops. It is utmost important and necessary to increase the fruit production due to the burgeoning population across the world. Among the constraints, mineral nutrient deficiencies are the major problem in limiting the perennial fruit crop production. Understanding the principles of nutrients, diagnosis the hunger signs of nutrients, physiological disorders and management of these problems at right time are paramonent important in enhancing the fruit production. In this book, there are two aspects viz. plant nutrition and physiological disorders. In plant nutrition, there are 16 chapters and physiological disorders are elaborately discussed with remedial measures. Hence, this book covers the whole spectrum of nutrition of fruits and their remedial measures. The authors believe that this book will highly useful to the undergraduate, post-graduate and doctoral students of both agriculture and horticulture. Besides, the book will fulfill the needs of the fruit growers, scientists, teachers and policy-makers and others concerned with fruit crops production.
Dr. J. Rajangam, started his career as Assistant Professor of Horticulture during 1995 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. As a horticulturist, he has more than 26 years experience in various horticultural crops. During his career, significant contributions were made pertaining to release of varieties CO3 in Chillies, PKM 2 in Annual moringa, PKM 1 in Davana, PKM 2 in Manilla tamarind and PKM 1 in Wood apple. He served as Professor and Head, Horticultural Research Station, Kodaikanal for a period of four years. During his tenure, he was officer incharge of All India Network Project on Temperate Fruit Crops at Horticultural Research Station, Kodaikanal with CITH, Srinagar and Principle Investigator of ICAR – AICRP (Fruits) at Horticultural College & Research Institute, Periyakulam. He offered UG and PG courses for more than 20 years and guided 16 M.Sc. (Hort.) and 2 Ph.D., students. He has published more than 30 papers in National and International research journals, 112 popular articles, 15 booklets and three books. He has visited Israel and Tanzania for Post Graduate Certificate Programme in Protected Horticulture and International Symposium on Moringa cultivation and utilization. He served as scientist incharge of genetic resource conservation and documented 240 mango, guava and underutilized fruits genotypes as per NBPGR, New Delhi guidelines. He developed technologies for Ultra High Density Planting System in mango and guava. For his contribution for canopy development in fruit crops, he has been awarded Mahindra Samriddhi National Award for the year 2019 - 2020. Currently, he is serving as Dean, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam (TNAU, Coimbatore).
Dr. K.S. Vijai Selvaraj currently working as Associate Professor and Head, Vegetable Research Station (TNAU), Palur, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. Dr. K.S. Vijai Selvaraj holds B.Sc. (Horticulture) from Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Periyakulam in 2002, masters degree from AC&RI, TNAU, Madurai in 2004. and Ph.D. from HC&RI, TNAU, Coimbatore in collaboration with The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem(HUJI), Israel in 2007. He was awarded the Israel Government’s prestigious Visiting Research Fellow Scholarship during 2007 by ministry of external affairs. Holds Post Doctoral Research Fellow from Agriculture Research Organization (ARO), The Volcani Centre, Israel from 2008 to 2009 in Molecular Physiology and genetic engineering. Currently he is handling 15 Under Graduate courses and 5 externally funded projects. He has published 25 international research papers, 20 national research papers, 11 books with ISBN and 25 popular articles and grabbed 10 awards. He is the key breeder in development and release of nations first Tall x Tall coconut hybrid.
Dr. P. Balasubramanian is presently working as Associate Professor and Head, Horticultural Research Station, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu. As a horticulturist, he has more than 11 years of research experience in various horticultural crops. He served as Programme Coordinator of ICAR – KVK at Ramanathapuram district. He has been recognised as ASCI certified trainer for coconut growers. He is the Principal Investigator of NICRA scheme (RS. 11.0 lakhs), DAMU (6.00 lakhs) and ASCI (3.5 lakhs) at KVK, Ramanathapuram district. During his career, significant contributions were made pertaining to the release of variety MDU-1 in cluster bean. He served as Farm Manager at Soil and Water Management Research Institute, Thanjavur and also at the Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai for a period of seven years. He is the Principal Investigator of BRNS - GOI, Mumbai scheme entitled “Isolation of short statured early maturing mutant in cluster bean through gamma irradiation” with a budget of Rs. 24.11 Lakhs. He offered courses in horticulture for more than seven years for U.G, P.G, Ph.D students in Horticulture and also guided two M.Sc. (Hort.) students. He has published 2 books and 13 research articles in peer reviewed National and International journals.
Dr. A. Subbiah is presently working as an Associate Professor and Head of Horticulture at Grapes Research Station, (TNAU), Theni, Tamil Nadu. He was the recipient of ICAR Junior Research Fellowship for his Master Degree during 1997 and completed his Ph.D., in 2004 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He worked as Research Assistant at Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara, Idukki, Kerala (KAU), Senior Research Fellow at Department of Vegetable Crops, TNAU, Coimbatore and Technical Executive of Indian Spices Producers Company, Cochin, Kerala. He has been involved in teaching courses on fundamentals of horticulture, production and post-harvest technology of fruits to the Under Graduate students in Horticulture for the last 10 years. He has also served as Co-Principle Investigator in the ICAR-NICRA Research Project on “Studies on Mango Flowering Phenology” and IDRCCIFSF, Canada funded Project on “Enhanced Preservation of Fruits in Asia by using Nano Film Techniques”. Further, he is also in-charge of Venture Capital Scheme ‘’Mass multiplication of grape rootstocks and varieties”. He is associated with 10 various scientific societies involved in promotion of research and development in fruits, spices and plantation crops as life time member. He also served as a member of Board of Studies for UG Programme in Horticulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during 2010 - 2013. He has authored and co-authored 4 book chapters and 8 books and published 23 research papers in reputed National and International Journals. He has organized various training programme on production technology of grapes to the farmers.
Dr. C. Rajamanickam is presently working as Professor of Horticulture at Horticultural College and Research Institute (TNAU), Periyakulam, Theni district, Tamil Nadu. During his career, significant contribution was made pertaining to release of brinjal variety MDU-2. He obtained his B.Sc. (Horticulture) and M.Sc. (Horticulture) from Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, a constituent college of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and Ph.D. (Horticulture) from College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He has 18 years experience in various mandates of teaching, research and extension. During the year 2017-2018, he served as Programme Coordinator, ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramanathapuram and conducted many training programmes on cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers and plantation crops. He offered more than 30 courses in horticulture to both B.Sc. (Hort.) and B.Sc. (Ag.) students and three courses to M.Sc. (Hort.) students. He has guided two M.Sc. (Hort.) students and played active role as member of advisory committee for more than 20 post-graduate students in different disciplines of Agriculture. He has expertise in propagation of fruit crops and also in nursery management. He has solved many field problems in horticultural crops. He has authored two books, published more than 45 research papers in both National and International Journals, 7 books in regional language, 35 book chapters and several booklets during his career. He has participated more than 30 National and International seminar, conference, symposia and workshops. He is a member of ten elite professional scientific societies across the country. He is the Principal Investigator of NICRA scheme for two years and handled two externally funded projects as Co-Principal Investigator. He has received one best researcher award by Malarum Velanmai Journal, Coimbatore during the year 2015; Best Poster Paper Award (Ist position) in the First NABS International Conference on Life Sciences organized by Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India during August 2021 and Best Paper Award in the 5th and 6th National Conference on Agriculture Science Tamil Conference organized by Agriculture Science Tamil Society, New Delhi during 2020 & 2021.
Dr. B. Devaraju, obtained graduate and post-graduate degree (Agronomy) from faculty of agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram with during 1988 – 1994. He pursued Ph.D (Agronomy) from School of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Gandhigram Rural Institute Deemed to be University, Gandhigram during 2019. He is presently working in School of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Deemed to be University, Gandhigram and he is an agronomist specialization in nutrient and weed management of field crops. He has experience of more than 20 years in teaching, research and extension in the field of Agronomy. He has also worked in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (ICAR-KVK), Gandhigram Rural Institute. During the period, he has conducted regular training programmes to the farmers about various improved crop cultivation activities. He delivered more than 15 talks through AIR on various field problems and advanced production technology of crops. He attended many National and International Seminars or Conference and presented papers. He has published 25 research articles, 20 popular articles in leading journals and magazines. He has prepared more than 5 practical manual in agronomy and allied areas. He has written more than 10 book chapters and published three books.
Dr. K. Balakrishnan, started his career as Assistant Professor of Crop Physiology at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore during in the year 1985. He was the recipient of ICAR Senior Fellowship during 1983 and obtained Ph.D in Crop Physiology in 1987 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (TNAU). He has also obtained Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism in 1988. He has also worked as Technical Assistant in United Planter’s Association of South India, Coonoor, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu during 1981 - 1983. He has been teaching courses on Crop Physiology and Biochemistry to the Under Graduate and Post Graduate students in both Agriculture and Horticulture for the last 33 years. He served as Principal Investigator of Foliar diagnosis in Horticultural crops in plan scheme funded by Government of Tamil Nadu, Post Harvest Technology of Horticultural crops ICAR-PHT at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam and Arid zone fruit crops funded by AICRIP (ICAR), at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Aruppukottai. He operated several schemes from both private and Government agencies. He was the member of All India ICAR Syllabus Committee on basic Agricultural sciences during 2007-2008. He has also served as a member of Board of studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during 1997-2000. His expertise in foliar diagnosis of nutritional disorders in crop plants is well-recognized by invitation to deliver lectures on various aspects of diagnosis of nutritional and physiological disorders in NGOs, Extension officials and farmers organisations. He has solved many physiological field problems. He was the founder in-charge of Venture Capital Scheme on “Production of coconut tonic” at AC&RI, Madurai since 2006. He has authored and co-authored 15 book chapters and 11 books and published 60 research papers in both National and International journals, 3 extension bulletins and 120 popular articles. He has been the question setter and external examiner for M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D students in several State Agricultural Universities. He has organized one National Seminar at AC & RI, Madurai during September 2013. He has served as the Professor and Head, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during 2013-2015. Recognition of his 25 years of meritorious service, TNAU award for given on 41st Foundation Day celebration held on June 01, 2011. He was award Thiruvalluvar Award for his contribution in Teaching Crop Physiology courses to the undergraduate students in Agriculture by Alumni Association of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam in 2017. He has been awarded Fellow of Bose Science Society (FBSS) by the Tamil Nadu Scientific Research Organization, Tamil Nadu during January, 2018 for his commendable achievement in the field of Crop Physiology.
A. PLANT NUTRITION
1 SOILS AND THEIR PROPERTIES ............................................................................................................1
2. PRINCIPLES OF PLANT NUTRITION................................................................................................. 21
3. RHIZOSPHERE AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF NUTRIENTS .......................................................... 93
4. MECHANISM OF NUTRIENT UPTAKE IN PLANTS .................................................................... 119
5. SOIL AND PLANT ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................... 141
6. NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS............................................................................................................... 163
7. MANAGEMENT OF NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS ........................................................................ 193
8. 4R NUTRIENT STEWARDSHIP .......................................................................................................... 213
9. DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDED INTEGRATED SYSTEM IN FRUIT CROPS ................. 235
10. SOIL LESS CULTIVATION ..................................................................................................................251
11. NANO FERTILIZERS .............................................................................................................................281
12. CHELATES IN PLANT NUTRITION.................................................................................................. 297
13. ORGANIC SOURCES OF PLANT NUTRITION .............................................................................. 305
14. FERTILIZER AND THEIR NUTRIENTS.............................................................................................337
15. METHODS OF NUTRIENT APPLICATION ..................................................................................... 365
16. NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY .............................................................................................................383
B. PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS ......................................................................................................... 401
