eChapters

Family : Arecaceae

Flowering: February-March

Fruiting: April-May

Botanical Description: The plant is a moderate sized dioecious tree which grows up to 4-10 m. in height and 30 cm diameter with a large crown and rough trunk covered with persistent leaf bases. The leaves are 3 m. long, gently recurved on 1 m petioles with spines near the base. The leaf crown grows to 5 m wide and 7-10 m tall containing up to 100 leaves. The inflorescence grows upto 1 m with white flowers. The single seeded fruit ripens to orange-yellow.

Family : Phyllanthaceae

Flowering: May-June

Fruiting: June-September

Botanical Description: The plant is a small deciduous tree reaching about 25-30 ft in height. Leaves are compound, 14-25 inches long, crowded at the ends of the branches leaflets 2-3.5 inches long, alternately arranged along the rachis, ovate or obliquely ovate, acute with rounded or wedge-shaped base. Flowers are very minute, in short dense spike-like clusters arising from nodules along the branches. Fruit is pendulous, in small clusters from the branches, round or slightly flattened at the poles, with shallow or deep ribs (usually 5) 0.75 inch across.

Family : Phyllanthaceae

Flowering: March-May

Fruiting: November-February

Botanical Description: The plant is a small to medium sized deciduous tree, reaching 8 to 18 m in height. It is known for its edible fruits of the same name. The tree has crooked trunk and spreading branches. The leaves are simple, nearly stalkless and closely set along slender branchlets. The leaves are often mistaken for leaflets of pinnate leaves. The flowers are small, greenish-yellow or pinkish, having six segments, but no real petals. The fruit is nearly spherical, light greenish yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with 6 vertical stripes or furrows.

Family : Mimosaceae

Flowering: January-March

Fruiting: April-June

Botanical Description: The plant is a large, nearly evergreen perennial tree that grows up to 20 m or more in height. It has a broad crown, up to 30 m across, and a short trunk, up to 1 m thick. Leaves are deciduous but foliage is persistent, as the new leaves appear while the old ones are being shed, so that the tree looks like an evergreen. Flowers yellowish-white in colour and are borne in small spherical glomerules of about 1 cm in diameter, forming short axillary panicles of 5-30 cm in length. Pods are greenish-brown to red or pinkish, rather thin with 10-15 cm long with irregular shape and flattened. There are about 10 seeds per pod, shining black in a white pulpy aril.

Family : Myrtaceae

Flowering: April-May

Fruiting: July-August

Botanical description: The plant is an evergreen tropical tree, 50 to 100 ft. tall, with oblong opposite leaves that are smooth, glossy and having a terpentine smell. It has fragrant white flowers in branched clusters at stem tips and purplish-black oval edible berries. The leaves are antibacterial, and are used for strengthning the teeth and gums. The fruit is ellipsoid or oblong, variable in size and shape, usually up to 2.5 cm long, black, shining and juicy when fully ripe. Seeds always one, with thick rounded fleshy cotyledons, closely appressed on their inner faces.

Family : Lythraceae

Flowering: August-September

Fruiting: November-December

Botanical description: The water chestnut is an annual aquatic herb with a rosette of floating leaves and submerged, anchored into the mud by very fine roots. It has two types of leaves, finely divided, feather-like submerged leaves borne along the length of the stem, and undivided floating leaves borne in a rosette at the water’s surface. The floating leaves have saw-tooth edges and are ovoid or triangular in shape, 2-3 cm long, on inflated leaf-stalks 5-9 cm long, which provide added buoyancy for the leafy portion. Flowers are white in colour, with Four petals and are borne for a long period. The fruit is a nut with barbed spines. Seeds can remain viable up to 12 years, although most germinate within the first two years.

Family : Rhamnaceae

Flowering: July-September

Fruiting: October-January

Botanical Description: Jackal Jujube is a very thorny straggling shrub with rusty-velvety young branches with paired thorns. Thorns are, one straight and the other recurved. Alternately arranged simple leaves are ovate to ovatelancelike, often oblique, with three prominent nerves and numerous transverse nervules. Tiny green flowers are borne in nearly stalkless velvety cymes in leaf axils. Fruits are spherical or obovoid drupes, black, shining, seeds woody.

India has a total geographical area of about 329 million hectares which represents about 2.4% of the world’s total landmass but it harbours a total of 47,513 plant species. Out of about 0.4 million species known in the world, it represent as much as 11.4% of world flora. About 28% of plants that occur in India are endemic to the country. The ecological or ecosystem diversity of the country is enormous, ranging from sea level to the highest mountainous ranges in the world, hot and arid conditions in the northwest to cold arid conditions in the trans-Himalayan region, tropical wet evergreen forests in Northeast India and the Western Ghats and mangroves of Sundarbans.

1. Botanical Name : Aesculus indica Colebr

2. Family : Sapindaceae

3. Common Name : Himalayan horse chestnut

4. Name in Indian languages: Khanor, Bankhor, Tatwakhar (Himachali), Bankhor, Kanor, (Hindi), Kakra, Hanudun (Kashmir), Kanur, Gun, Khanor (Punjabi). Pangar (Kumoani), Ghode Pangro(Nepali).

5. Description

Aesculus indica or Himalayan horse chestnut, is a spectacular tree with pinkish white blossoms. It is found growing in the Himalayan forests between 2,000 and 3,000 metres msl. It is an attractive tree, bearing beautiful, multi coloured blossoms during May and June. The leaves are also ornamental and form a beautiful canopy. The tree, therefore, is becoming popular as an avenue tree. The tree yield s which are eaten by the people.

1. Botanical Name : Alangium salviifolium(L.F.) Wangerin

2. Family : Cornaceae

3. Common Name : Sage-leaved alangium

4. Name in Indian languages: Akola or Ankol (Hindi), Gandhapushpa (Sanskrit), Ankol (Marathi), Ankol (Gujarati), Ankod (Bengali), Ankolam (Malayalam), Ankola (Kannada), Alanji (Tamil).

5. Description

Sage-leaved alangium (Alangium salvifolium) is a small, bushy tree with a medium dense canopy. It has several medicinal properties. The roots, bark, fruit seeds and oils are used for treatments. The useful in stomach related disorders. The plants are short to medium in height. The trunks are short with sparse thorns.

1. Botanical Name : Allophylus serratus (Roxb.)Kurz

2. Family : Sapindaceae

3. Common Name : Tippani

4. Name in Indian languages: Lavate pan (Kodwa), Tippani (Hindi), Sidisale (Kannada), Mukkanamperu (Malayalam), Memdri (Marathi), Amalai (Tamil), Eravalu (telugu), Trputah (Sanskrit).

5. Description

It is an evergreen, low branching small tree or a large shrub about 3-6m tall. Trunk is straight with open canopy. The outer pulp and some time seeds are consumed in fresh state. It is frequently notice in degraded forest areas in Western Ghats. It is known to possess various therapeutic properties.

1. Botanical name : Antidesma acidum Ritz.

2. Family : Phyllanthaceae

3. Common Name : Antidesma

4. Name in Indian languages : Amati (Marathi), Himalcherry (Hindi), Kareekome (Kannada), Airyoporiyan (Malayalam), Aanepooi (Telugu), Nolaidali (Tamil).

5. Description

Antidesma acidum is a shrub or a tree growing up to 10 metres tall. The bole, which usually branches from near the base, can be 10cm in diameter. It is found in dry deciduous, deciduous and evergreen forest at forest edges or in open spaces and bamboo thickets; or half-shady habitats associated with dipterocarps, pine, oak. It is often disturbed, much degraded or frequently burnt vegetation.

1. Botanical Name : Aporosa lindleyana (Wt) Baill.

2. Family : Euphorbiaceae

3. Common Name : Lindley’s Aporosa

4. Name in Indian languages: Yechi pan (Kodwa), Salle mara, Sali, Sarali, Sulla (Kannada), Kodali, Kotili, Ponvetti, Vetti, Vittil (Malayalam), Kodali, Vettikan, Vettil, Vittil, Vitti (Tamil),Valaka (Sanskrit).

5. Description

It is tree, belongs to Euphorbiaceae family which grow up to 15 m height. Tree bark is smooth to shallowly fissured, brownish; blaze pink. Leaves are simple, alternate, oblong-lanceolate, acute, 7.5-17 cm long. Flowers unisexual, dioecious; male flowers in axillary catkins; female flowers in condensed cymes.

1. Botanical name : Ardisia solanacea Roxb.

2. Family : Myrsinaceae

3. Common Name : Shoebutton Ardisia, duck’s eye

4. Name in Indian languages

Bisi (Hindi), Kadna, Katapenga, Bugadi, Dikna, nilbedsi (Marathi), Manipudbam, Kozhikkottai, Narikandam (Tamil), Kaka-njara(Malayalam), Bodhina gida, Shuli, Bode, Sore(Kannada), Banjam(Bengali), Damaai Phal (Nepali), Tinkoli (Oriya).

1. Botanical Name : Artocarpus hirsutus L.

2. Family : Moraceae

3. Common Name: Wild jackfruit

4. Name in Indian languages : Hebbalasu (Kannada), Anjili (Malayalam), Aiyinipila (Tamil).

5. Description

Artocarpus hirsutus is a tropical evergreen tree species. It prefers moist, deciduous to partially evergreen woodlands. It grows in altitudes ranging from sea level to an elevation of 1000 m. The height of tree can reach up to 35 m and about 4.5 m in girth. The main stem is straight and cylindrical. It is used as shade tree in coffee plantations. The seeds (with 17% oil) are eaten or used medicinally. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 32°C. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,500 - 3,500 mm. Older plants succeed in full sun or moderate shade, but younger trees require reasonable levels of shade. It is fast growing species with deep tap root.

1. Botanical Name: Artocarpus lacucha Buch- Ham.

2. Family: Moraceae

3. Common Name: Monkey Jack, Lakoocha

4. Name in Indian languages

Lakuch, Lakooch, Lakoochi, Barhal, Dahu, Dahua (Hindi), Badhar, Kshudraphanas (Marathi), Ilagusam, Irappala, Solaippakku, Tinippalavu (Tamil), Chimpa, Lakucham, Pulinjakka (Malayalam), Esuluhuli, Lakucha, Otehuli, Vatehuli (Kannada), Dephal, Dahu (Bengali), Lakoocha (Oriya), Dridhavalkala, Granthimatphala (Sanskrit), Badhar (Nepali).

1. Botanical Name : Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.

2. Family : Phyllanthaceae

3. Common Name : Burmese Grape

4. Name in Indian languages

Sohramdieng (Khasi) and Sohmyndong (Pnar), Khatta phal (Hindi), Moktok (Manipuri), Bhubi, Iphek (Tripura)

1. Botanical name : Baccaurea courtalensis (Wt.) Muell.

2. Family : Euphorbiaceae

3. Common Name : Burmese grape, Mootapalam

4. Name in Indian languages : Mootilpazham, Mootilthoori, Mootippuli (Malayalam), Kolikuki (Kannada).

5. Description

Baccaurea courtalensis is a trees of tropical evergreen forests of the southern Western Ghats. It is an endangered tree. The tree bears tiny crimson flowers on long stalks growing on the trunk of the tree (cauliflory). These stalks are arranged in clusters on the trunk. When in bloom the whole trunk appears red and is a beautiful sight. Fruits hang in clusters from the trunk of the tree. A tall tree produces cauliflory inflorescence. The flowers are unisexual, dioecious, male inflorescence in clustered racemes on short tubercles all over the trunk, red, female inflorescence in clustered racemes, mostly confined to base of the trunk, hence its named Mootapalam.

1. Botanical Name : Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.)

2. Family : Zygophyllaceae

3. Common Name : Desert Date, soap berry tree

4. Name in Indian languages

Hingot (Hindi), Ingala, Ingalarade, Ingalare (Kannada), Namunta, Nanchunta (Malayalam), Hingalbet, Hingam (Marathi), Tapasadruma, Angaravrksa (Sanskrit), Nanchundan, Nancuntan (Tamil), Gara, Gara-Chettu(Telugu).

1. Botanical name : Berberis aristata DC

2. Family : Berberidaceae

3. Common Name : Indian barberry

4. Name in Indian languages

Darhaldi (Bengali), Kilmora (Kumaoni), Daru-haldi (Hindi), Maradarisina, Maramanjal (Malyalam), Daruhald (Marathi), Chitra, Chutro (Nepali), Mullukala, Usikkala (Tamil), Daruharidra (Sanskrit).

1. Botanical Name : Borassus flabellifer L

2. Family : Palmae (araeceae)

3. Common Name : Mukkana, Palmyra Palm, toddy palm

4. Name in Indian languages

Taad, Tal, Trinaraaj (Hindi), Taad (Marathi), Talam (Tamil), Karimpana (Malayalam), Tatichettu (Telugu), Olegari, Taalegari, Taatinimgu (Kannada), Taala (Bengali), Sanskrit: Taalah

1. Botanical name: Buchanania lanzan spreng.

2. Family: Anacardiaceae

3. Common Name: Cuddapah almond , Chironji

4. Name in Indian languages: Chironji (Hindi), Piyal (Assami), Chironji (Bengali), Kole Maavu (Kannada), Charam (Tamil), Mungapera (Malayalam).

5. Description

It is an excellent fruit tree for agro forestry and social forestry. This species is found in dry deciduous forest throughout the country excluding eastern Himalayan forests . The flesh of ripe fruit is very palatable and is largely eaten raw or roasted and the oily kernels are the most important part and are used in preparation of puddings. Mesocarp of fruit is edible and cherished by children. Very good juice may be prepared from the pulp of chironji fruits.

1. Botanical name : Calligonum polygonoides L.

2. Family : Polygonaceae

3. Common Name : Phog

4. Name in Indian languages: Phog (Hindi), Phog(Punjabi), Balanja, Berwaja (Afghanistan).

5. Description

Phog (Calligonum polygonoides L.) is a under-utilized shrub, dominantly found in arid and semi-arid region of Thar Desert. It is a typical sand dune plant, found in whole of arid zone. It is a slow growing, branching shrub. It has a massive network of underground root which works as effective ‘sand binder’ and thus preventing erosion and stabilizing sand dunes. It grows well in absence of any type of vegetation and dominant biomass producer of the sandy areas of the desert. It is very hardy and being capable of growing under adverse conditions of soil and moisture. It is frost hardy. It is becoming increasingly rare due to the demand for its roots, overgrazing and sand mining.

1. Botanical Name : Canthium dicoccum var. umbellatum syn. Pelectronia parviflora Gaertn.) Merr

2. Family : Rubiaceae

3. Common Name : Ceylon Boxwood, Malakafe

4. Name in Indian languages

Amme pannu (Kodwa), Hanage (Kannada), Nanyul (Malayalam), Arsul, Tupa (Marathi), Nanjul, Nallamandharam (Tamil), Nalla balasu, Balasu naikinna (Telugu).

1. Botanical name : Canthium parviflora Lamk syn

2. Family : Rubiaceae

3. Common Name : Wild jessamine, Carray cheddie

4. Name in Indian languages

Kare pan (Kodwa), Karemull (Kannada), Kayil (Konkani), Madhakara, (Malayalam), Kirma (Marathi), Tutidi (Oriya), Sinnabalusu, (Telugu), Mullukaara (Tamil), Nagabala (Sanskrit).

1. Botanical Name :Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew.

2. Family : Capparaceae

3. Common Name : Caper berry, Bare Caper, Kair

4. Name in Indian languages

Dela (Delhi and Punjab), Karir, Karil (Uttar Pradesh), Kair (Hindi), Nepati (Marathi), Sirakkali (Tamil), Karimullu (Malayalam), Kariramu (Telugu), Chippuri (Kannada), Khirar(Urdu), Kera (Gujarati).

1. Botanical Name : Careya arborea Roxb.

2. Family : Lecythidaceae

3. Common Name : Wild Guava, Ceylon Oak

4. Name in Indian languages

Kumbhi (Hindi), Kumbha (Marathi), Aima (Tamil), Peelam, Pela (Malayalam), Araya, Buddaburija (Telugu), Alagavvele, Daddal (Kannada), Kumbhi (Bengali), Kumbh(Oriya), Godhajam, Kumbhi (Assamese), Girikarrnika (Sanskrit).

1. Botanical name : Carissa spinarum L.

2. Family : Apocynaceae

3. Common Name : Wild Karonda

4. Name in Indian languages

Jungli Karonda, Karunda (Hindi), Karamacha (Bengali), Karmarda (Gujarati), Karmanji, Kavali (Karnataka), Karavada, Karanda, Karwant (Marathi), Vaka, Kalivi, Kavali Kalli (Telugu), Chirukila, Karvand, Kalakkay, Kalachedi (Tamilnadu), Karamdika (Oriya), Karamarda, Avighna (Sanskrit).

1. Introduction

The remains of almond, found in several archeological sites, show the importance of this crop since centuries. Being storable after drying, the fruits can be transported everywhere, this is the reason why, these nutritious nuts have followed the human migration. The easy adaptability of this species to poor soils has favored their spread. It is an elixir for good health and a panacea for all ills. Almonds have long been an integral part of India’s cultural heritage, especially during festive seasons and weddings. In an increasingly health-conscious nation like India, the demand for almonds is ever increasing. However, several problems plague production and limit output which has led to high import.

1.1. Nutritional value

Almonds are good source of fat, in which 80% is in the form of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) which decreases unwanted cholesterol of body. Almonds contain omega-6 fatty acid which is good for heart. The amount of saturated fat is very less in almonds. Almonds have high amount of phosphorus and calcium which is required for bone growth. Magnesium, manganese, vitamin B6 and Vit. E are also available in almonds. Almond oil contains glucosides, minerals, vitamins and is rich in protein. Nutritive value of almond has been presented in Table1.

1. Introduction

The cultivated apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.), is the most important fruit in temperate regions of the world. Apples were frequently used in different mythologies as symbols of immortality or reincarnation. One of the most popular stories attached to apple is that of Adam and Eve, who ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of good and evil which was in the center of the garden of Eden. The Latin word Malus has two meaning i.e. apple and evil, which has probably stemmed from this story from bible. In Greek mythology, mother earth or Gaia, presented a tree with golden apples to Zeus and his bride Hera on their wedding day. These golden apples were later indicated with many stories of love, bribery and temptation ranging from the abduction of Helen of Troy to the defeat and marriage of Atlanta. Goddess Pomona was deity of fruit trees in Rome. In many cultures, garden of paradise and pleasure is symbolized as the place with fruit-laden apple trees. Apple is popular because of its delicious taste and pleasant aroma.

1. Introduction

Apricot is among the highly nutritious fruits of Rosaceae family and appreciated for its health promoting contents. Studies have shown that apricot fruit is effective in preventing stomach ulcers and oxidative damages of living systems (Enomoto et al., 2010; Miyazawa et al., 2006). Apricot tree belongs to genus Prunus in the Rosaceae (rose) family. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is categorized under ‘stone fruits’, along with peaches, plums, almonds, and some cherries, due to its seed being enclosed in a hard, ‘stone’ like endocarp. This fruit is native to temperate Asia, first discovered growing wild on the mountain slopes of China, and long cultivated in Armenia later.

Throughout its history, apricot has been noted for delicious flavor, delicate velvety fruit surface, and early flowering and fruiting. The name apricot is a corruption of the Arabic and Greek al-paraecox which means the early fruit. The old spelling ‘apricock’ is retained in English until the 17^th century. The fruits are mainly consumed fresh but are also cooked and often stuffed. The high sugar content makes them suitable for drying. In china they were also preserved by salting and smoking. Other uses include fruit leathers, nectars, and liquors (Janick, 2005).

1. Introduction

Cherry is the common name of several Prunus species that include sweet cherry (P. avium), tart or sour cherry (P. cerasus), Duke cherry (hybrids between P. avium and P. cerasus). Sweet cherries are believed to have originated from the area between the Black and Caspian seas of Asia Minor. Birds probably carried the seed to Europe prior to human civilization. Cultivation was probably started by the Greeks and continued by the Romans. Its distribution and naturalization have proved extensive, for it is now found wild in areas as widely spaced as northern India, the southern plains of Europe and even on isolated islands such as Madeira. Climatic conditions are the most important limitations on cherry production. Being a deciduous tree, it needs a period of dormancy, which is initiated in temperate regions mainly by a fall in average temperatures in late autumn (Mir et al., 2017). Sweet cherry is grown almost everywhere in the temperate zone. It is a composite genus. Due to its origin, this genus needs warm and light conditions, but can also endure cold winter weather. It requires 550-600 mm precipitation annually. Sweet cherry prefers medium light (pH= 5.5–7.5), deep-layered soil, which is rich in nutrients. The root system of sweet cherry requires aeration and cannot tolerate slack water (Simon, 2004). Many areas of the world, although environmentally suited to cherry production, are currently unsuited to profitable cherry production due to high perishable nature of the fruit.

1. Introduction

Hazel nut also called as European filbert or Bhotia badam (Corylus avellana L.). Apparently the word ‘filbert’ has been derived from Middle English which in turn was a derivation of Philbert - the Saint Philibert, whose feast day in late August coincides with the ripening of the nut. Others believe that the term filbert came from the nut’s long husk being referred to as a full beard in Old English. The name “Hazel” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for bonnet, “Haesel”; this probably derives from the greek “korys” (as in Corylus), for helmet or hood. The term “filbert” may have derived from “full beard”, descriptive of the long, leafy husk. The scientific name avellana derives from the town of Avella initially and was selected by Linnaeus from Leonhart Fuchs’s De historia stirpium commentarii insignes (1542), where the species was described as “Avellana nux sylvestris” (“wild nut of Avella”). Hazelnut is the 4^th economically important nut crop (748,000 MT/yr) of world after cashew, almond and walnut.

1. Introduction

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa Chev.) is among the most recently domesticated of all fruit plants. The kiwifruit of international commerce are large – fruited selections of Actinidia deliciosa Planch and Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C F Liang et A. R. Ferguson, belongs to family Acitinidiaceae. A. chinensis has been cultivated commercially for little more than 20 years, however, A. deliciosa for about 70 years. This is known as “China’s miracle fruit” and “Horticulture wonder of New Zealand”. Although this fruit vine originated in China, yet its full economic potential was exploited by the New Zealanders, which accounts for over 70 per cent of world trade (Franco, 1990). Kiwifruit has completely replaced the older name of ‘Chinese gooseberry’. In China, ‘Mihoutao’ (monkey peach) is used for all Actinidia species, but as A. chinensis and A. deliciosa are by far the most important economically of the various Actinidia species in China, they are often simply referred to together as Mithoutao. More explicitly, the two species are sometimes referred to together as Zhonghua (Chinese) Mihoutao. In other countries of the world, its cultivation gained momentum after 1960s and now is cultivated on a commercial scale in USA, Italy China, Japan, France, Germany and Australia.

In India, it was first introduced in 1960 at Lalbagh garden, Bangalore, but the plant did not come into bearing due to lack of chilling requirement during winter for its bud break. Later on, in 1963, it was introduced in Shimla hills, where the plant came into bearing in 1969. In order to assess the performance of kiwifruit cultivation in different agro-climatic conditions of state its plantation were done at different locations. After evaluation, this fruit was recommended for commercial cultivation in mid and low hills of the state. It can also be grown in mid hill of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttrakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Nilgiri hills of south India.

1. Introduction

Olive (Olea eurpaea L.) is an evergreen species commonly grown in the Mediterranean basin. The oil extracted from the fruit is a predominant component of the ‘Mediterranean diet’, which has documented heart- and cancer-protective benefits. These derive from the lipid composition and from biologically active molecules that accumulate during olive fruit development. The oil can reach up to 30% of the total fruit fresh weight at full ripening and is highly present in the mesocarp and at lower levels in seeds. Oil increase reaches a plateau in pulp after varaison. A marked triacylglycerol accumulation in seed and pulp occurs after endocarp lignification, when about 40 mg of oil per fruit per week can be synthesized. The fatty acid profile of the oil accumulating in the fruit is important in relation to its nutritional properties. The main fatty acid is oleic acid (C18:1), which represents about 75% of total fatty acids, followed by linoleic (C18:2), palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0) and linolenic (C18:3) acids (Martinelli and Dandekar, 2014).

The olive, Olea europaea L, is the only species of the botanical family Oleaceae with edible fruit. The tree blooms with small white flowers in May, and fruit set begins almost immediately afterward in May or June. Ripening is complete toward the end of November or December, depending on the variety. Its cultivation began more than 6000 years ago in the Middle East, and spread west on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea.

1. Introduction

The peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] is an important fruit crop of temperate regions, all over the world. Important centers of commercial production usually lie between latitudes 30° and 45° North and South. At higher latitudes, minimum winter temperatures and spring frosts are the limiting factors. The peach flower bud is hardy and can tolerate minimum temperature of about -23 to -26° C. Its northern range is extended where minimum temperature are ameliorated by large bodies of water, as western continental seaboards, the great Lakes in the U.S.A. and Canada and the Caspian and Black seas of Eurasia. Mid continental areas are characterized by lower winter temperatures and usually more severe spring frost hazards. Most peach cultivars require 500 to 1000 chill hours below 7.2° C to foliate and bloom. At lower altitudes, the winter requirement is not met. The peach with its smooth skin mutant is known as nectarine. Nectarines can be used in the same way as peaches, and may be considered as substitutes for peaches.

1. Introduction

Pear is among the oldest of the world’s fruit crops, figuring in both Bible and the tales of Homer. They are by far the most important of the deciduous tree fruits, are widely grown in temperate and increasingly, in tropical regions, and figure prominently in world trade. The fruit is primarily grown for the fresh fruit market, which is much more remunerative than that for processing.

Pear (Pyrus communis, Rosaceaea family), is a deciduous fruit, grown under a wide variety of climatic regimes, ranging from cold dry temperature hilly conditions to warm humid subtropical conditions. It is grown in many places of India like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Utter Pradesh. Sandy pear plants were brought to Amritsar by travellers from China who settled at Harsha Chinna village near Amritsar about 2,500 years ago. The Kashmir valley represents one of the major Pear (Pyrus communis.L.) growing areas of the world. Pear was introduced in India from China. The time at which Pear was introduced to Kashmir is not precisely known, however Yukteshwar Kumar writes in his book “A History of SinoIndian Relations” that peach and pear came to India during the early years of the Eastern Han period (25 AD to 220 AD). This pre historic fruit has been under cultivation both in Europe and Asia for about 3000 years (Hedrick et al., 1921). Between 16^th and 18^th centuries, many European writers travelling Kashmir noted fantastic royal gardens of the Mughals, mentioning the abundance of peach, pear, plum and cherry trees, with fountains spouting cold, icy water. Pear (Pyrus communis. L), originating from the German word ‘peer’ meaning fruit, is a fascinating fruit steeped in rich history. This fruit is known as ‘tang’ in Kashmiri language. Low chill requiring pears are being cultivated in plains of North India. Cultivars requiring high chilling hours (900-1000) are cultivated at higher hills of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Majority of the Pear production is actually limited to Kashmir however, low chilling cultivars grow in subtropical regions.

1. Introduction

Pecans (Carya illinoensis) are one of the most desirable trees to plant in home yards. Their size and natural beauty as a shade tree and its capacity to produce a nutritious food make them valuable. Pecan is the most widely cultivated and the most economically important member of the North American hickory group. Beyond its native range, pecan is commercially grown from the southeastern USA to the south-west (California) (Hanna, 1987, Peterson, 1990, Harlow et al., 1991). Pecan is from an Algonquian word, meaning ‘a nut requiring a stone to crack’. In Mexico, pecans and walnuts share the same Spanish name, neuz, which is a cognate of the English word nut. In the USA, pecan is considered the queen of nuts because of its value both as a wild and as a cultivated nut and acceptable quality of meats (Woodroof, 1979). Pecan is also considered as ‘queens of nuts’ because of its value both a wild and as a cultivated nut and acceptable quality of meats. As compared with other nut fruits which have been grown since time immemorial, pecan has been under cultivation only for about one hundred years but has gained enormous popularity.

1. Introduction

The pistachio nut tree, Pistacia vera L. has been extensively cultivated since ancient times in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries; in India, Afghanistan. The climatic conditions favorable to pistachio culture are similar to those for almond and olives, and prevail in extensive regions of the western United States also. Pistachio is a nut which comes originally from Iran and has the history of 4000 to 5000 years. Pistachio is a drought-tolerant, slow-growing, deciduous tree that reaches to a height of 30 ft. The tree survives in arid regions where summers are hot and the winters cold. Rocky, poor terrain with little rainfall is no problem as long as there is good drainage. The fruits grow in clusters. Although called a nut, botanically, pistachios are actually drupe. The pistachio consists of a bone ivory shell that encases the edible meat portion, called the seed.

1. Introduction

Plum is one of the important stone fruit crops of temperate region throughout the world. The Japanese group of plum is native to China but was domesticated in Japan and subsequently was introduced to different parts of the world. In India, Japanese plums were introduced by European settlers and missionaries around 1870. Plum grows well in areas ranging from 900 m to 1600 m above mean sea level.

1.1. Uses

Among deciduous fruits, plum is widely distributed in the world, because of wider adaptability among different species and cultivars of plum to varied agro-climates and soil conditions. Plum is consumed as dessert, dried and processed products. Plum fruit is considered best to overcome the jaundice. Its fruit use for a preparation of juice and squash. It ranks next to peach in commercial production. It is widely cultivated in several countries in Europe, Asia and in the America.

1. Introduction

Quince is a highly nutritious underutilized fruit of sub-Himalayan region which has great economics and medicinal potential and it belongs to the group of the oldest cultural plants. Quince is known with different names, Urdu name ‘Bahee Dana’, Farsi name ‘Beh’, Greek name ‘Strythion’, Kashmiri name ‘Bamchunth’ and Hindi name ‘Bihi’ (Torkelson, 1995, Khoubnasabjafari and Jouyban, 2011). Quince is very much like pear in shape and gets a golden yellowish outer layer when mature. Quince fruit is a valuable dietary product and even then it less suitable for the direct consumption (Hricovsky et al., 2003) and for that reason they are mostly used either cooked (Alvarenga et al., 2008) or preserved (Kyzlink, 1990). However, as compared with other species, this fruit tree species is less popular throughout the world. Its predisposition to turning brown and decay is a limiting factor in the long-term storage of this fruit (Gunes, 2008). The nutritional value of the fruit is high (Bucsek et al., 1996; Kopec and Balik 2008). It is well known that quince fruit shows antioxidant effects (Silva et al., 2002) which result from the presence of a number of polyphenolic substances (Fattouch et al., 2007), e.g. flavonoids quercetin, rutin, kaemp ferol etc. (Silva et al., 2005), and also from increased levels of vitamin C (Tetera, 2006). Quince has the important nutritional and flavor composition more than many fruits. Vitamin C content of quince is nearly two times higher than in apple (Biro and Lindner, 1999).

1. Introduction

The modern cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is one of the most delicious, refreshing and soft fruits of the world. Worldwide it is also the most widely distributed fruit-crop due to its genotypic diversity, highly heterozygous nature and broad range of environmental adaptation. The plant is cherished in gardens and in commercial fields for its beautiful red fruit that has a tentalizing aroma (Sharma, 2002; Sharma and Sharma, 2004). Being a rich source of vitamins and minerals coupled with delicate flavour, strawberry has now become an important table-fruit of millions of people around the globe. It is amongst the few fruit crops, which gives quicker and very high returns per unit area on capital investment, as the crop is ready for harvesting within 6 months of planting. However, due to several technological advances in its cultivation like, introduction of day-neutral cultivars, and protected cultivation, strawberries remain available as fresh fruit throughout the year.

At present, strawberry is grown in wide climatic zones, extending to temperate, Mediterranean, sub-tropical and taiga zones (Sharma, 2002; Sharma and Sharma, 2004). Its cultivation is influenced by the specific regional adaptations due to critical photoperiods and temperature requirements and thus its cultural systems are highly variable. Due to the constant efforts of strawberry breeders, the world-wide interest for strawberry cultivation has boosted its production tremendously, which has resulted in widespread popularity of strawberry in the last 50 years.

1. Introduction

Persian walnut is of great importance across worldwide where nuts are harvested from wild stands, backyard gardens and rarely from commercial orchards that vary considerably in their size due to degree of management. The walnut is an old tree cultivated before the Greek age and appreciated for centuries for its fruits, wood and other parts utilized in several ways. Before the discovery of the phenomena of allelopathy, someone considered the walnut an un-healthful tree, since peasants used to wake up with migraine or fever after they had slept under a walnut tree. Some others considered the walnut a cursed tree, and in fact in Italy an old walnut tree growing in Benevento, has long been considered the place where the witches used to dance during the night of Saint John and, therefore, that tree was named “Tree of the Witches” (Avanzato, 2010).

Nuts are collected for home consumption, sale at local roadside stands and markets and for shipping to cities. Walnut trees are further utilized for their high quality timber to make a wide array of products. The leaves, bark and other plant parts are used for medicinal remedies and trees are grown and maintained for soil conservation purposes (Mamadjanov, 2006b). A diverse mix of seedlings, local selections, and advanced cultivars are grown for nut production, many with unknown origins, including some of which are the direct result of selection from the wild.

Soil sample collection is the first and most important step for soil quality analysis. A soil sample collected with due care and proper procedure is essential for getting reliable result of the analysis. The sample should represent the field and for practical purposes, an area of about 0.5 hectare is considered as one sampling unit. In case of conspicuous variation observed in the field in terms of texture, colour, slope etc, separate samples should be collected from areas differing in these attributes. In other words, sample should be collected from an area in the field with similar characteristics as seen through normal visual observation. Sampling should thus be avoided from areas like near trees, permanent vegetations, manure pits, manure piles or recently fertilized fields.

Soil Sampling procedure

1. For a particular field unit, one composite soil sample is prepared out of the samples collected from 7-8 spots distributed across the field unit. The entire field is covered by moving in a zig-zag manner from each sampling spot.
2. For each sampling point or spot, scrapping off the surface litter such as grasses or crop residues is done. Then, a “V” shaped pit of 15-20 cm length and of equal width is made. Depth of sampling depends upon the requirement and on the type of crop. For field crops like paddy, wheat etc, samples are collected from 15 cm depth. From the “V” shaped pits, take outslice of ½ inch thickness from both sides of the exposed pit surfaces from top to bottom.
3. The soil samples so collected from the 7-8 points are mixed thoroughly by hand and then is reduced to about 500 g by quartering process. The quartering process consists of a procedure in which the entire soil mass is divided into four quarters; the two opposite ones are discarded and the remaining two are remixed. This process is repeated till about 500g soil is obtained.

Soil pH is the measure of hydronium ion (H₃O⁺) or more commonly hydrogen ion (H⁺) activity in the soil suspension. Soil pH can be measured in soil-water suspension, saturation extract or in 0.01 M CaCl₂ solution. Saturation extract is used to identify specific soil problems such as salinity or sodicity. Measurement of pH using 0.01 M CaCl₂ solution gives more reproducible results than measured through soil-water suspension. It also provides a good approximation of field conditions as the electrolytic composition of 0.01 M CaCl₂ is considered similar to that of soil solution. However, among the three methods, soil-water suspension is most commonly used in research laboratories as well as for fertilizer recommendation as it is simpler and more convenient.

Electrical conductivity (EC) is a useful indicator of soil salinity. Relationships have been developed between EC and salinity classes for a 1:1 soil: water suspension. With increase in salt content in a soil, the EC increases. Thus, for salt affected soils, measurement of EC is vital as accumulation of salts in the root zone is detrimental to plant growth. EC is a measure of the ability of a soil solution to conduct electrical current.

Equipment and Reagents

1. Digital Conductivity meter
2. 0.01 M potassium chloride (KCl) solution: Dissolve 0.7456 g dry KCl in distilled water and make up the volume to 1.0 litre. This solution has an electrical conductivity of 1.413 dS m_-1 at 25ºC.

Ion exchange is a reversible process by which a cation or anion held on the solid phase is exchanged with another cation or anion in the liquid phase. Soil mineral and organic colloidal particles have negative valence charges that hold dissociable cations. The power to retain cations at the surface of soil colloids is referred to as the cation exchange capacity (CEC). Cation exchange is a reversible reaction in soil solution, dependent upon negative charges of soil components arising from permanently charged or pH-dependent sites on organic matter and mineral colloid surfaces. The CEC is the sum of cations held by a kilogram of soil and is expressed in Cmol (p₊)/kg soil. In most agricultural soils, the cation-exchange capacity (CEC) is generally higher than the anion exchange capacity (AEC).

Exchanges sodium (Na+) is animportantparameter forsalt affected soils. This is estimated by extraction with ammonium acetate and then measuring the extract inflamephotometer.

Reagents

1. Neutral normal ammonium acetate solution (1 N CH₃COONH₄ of pH 7): Dissolve 77.09 g of ammonium acetate in distilled water and make up the volume to one litre. Adjust the pH of the solution to 7 with ammonia solution or acetic acid.
2. Standard solution of Na (500 mg/L Na): Dissolve 1.271 g of NaCl in distilled water and make up the volume to one litre.
3. Working standard solution of Na (100 mg/L): Dilute 200 ml of 500 mg/L stock solution to 1000 ml.

Soil texture refers to the relative distribution of sand, silt and clay on a sample of <2 mm size. It is an intrinsic soil property and basically refers to the particle size distribution in a soil. A number of physical characteristics and chemical properties of a soil are influenced by texture or particle size distribution. To estimate the content of sand, silt and clay particles, the soil samples are first brought into a dispersed state by mechanical and chemical treatments so that different binding agents are removed. In the dispersed soil samples, the soil particles settle down at a differential settling rate according to their size. In laboratory, the common methods for analysis for particle size distribution are : Buyoucos hydrometer method and International pipette method. In this chapter, the procedure of Buyoucos hydrometer method is described.

Principle

This method is based on the principle of variable rate of settling of particles as per their size and as described by Stokes’Law. Large particles shall settle fast. The measurement of density of the suspension is done at different times using a hydrometer (ASTM 152H-Type hydrometer is preferred). The measurement in this hydrometer is based on a standard temperature of 20 _oC and a particle density of 2.65 Mg m_-3 and the units are expressed in grams of soil per liter.The principal source of error in this procedure is the incomplete dispersion of soil clays as the clay particles are cemented by agents such as organic matter, CaCO and iron oxides. Incomplete dispersion results in low values for clay and high values for silt and sand. Thus, soils with higher organic matter (>1.0%) should be first treated with 6% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for removal of organic carbon. The rate of sedimentation is also affected by temperature and the density of the dispersing solution.

Soil bulk density (BD) or apparent density is determined in -situ by core method. Stainless steel or metallic cores of cylindrical shape with known height and diameter are inserted into the soil till the rim of the core. The soil core is then excavated and the soil sample is oven dried to get the dry weight. The ratio of the oven dry weight to the total volume of the core gives the bulk density of the soil.