A wide variety of fruits is grown in the tropics, under a range of climatic conditions and soil types. Some have been widely used both within the tropics and also exported to temperate countries for many years, whereas others are currently grown almost exclusively for local or regional use. However, consumer demands and improvements in postharvest treatment have meant that the number of species available in temperate markets is increasing. Tropical Fruits provides a broad survey of all aspects of tropical fruit production and usage. It begins by defining the climate and soils of the tropics and outlining the general principles of cultivation and postharvest handling. Each type of fruit is then examined in terms of botany, origin and distribution, ecology, genetics and cultivar development, culturing practices, pests and diseases, harvest and post-harvest handling and utilization. Finally, fruits which have potential for future development are considered. Tropical Fruits is essential reading for students and professionals in horticulture, agronomy and food science.
- The Tropics and Its Soils
- Cultivation and Postharvest Handling
- Annonas
- Avocado
- Banana
- Carambola
- Guava
- Litchi, Longan and Rambutan
- Mango
- Papaya
- Passion-Fruit
- Pineapple
- Other Asian Tropical Fruit
- Other American Tropical Fruit
Robert E Paull has been involved for over 30 years in research and teaching, and as a consultant to commercial companies, and national and international programs. His area of research interest is in the postharvest handling and storage of tropical fruits, vegetables and ornamentals with a focus on quality and postharvest life of tropical commodities that is determined in large measure by preharvest growing conditions and crop management. The research has lead to improvement in production practices, and the post harvest handling and marketing of these products. All the research has been done in conjunction and support of local industries and individual growers, shippers and markets.
"One might expect that a book in an academic series with a title such as Crop Production Science in Horticulture might simply be another collection of loosely connected papers, not peer reviewed. Instead this volume comes as a very pleasant surprise: it thoroughly covers topics in the area of tropical fruits concisely and lucidly. Information is covered from basic issues of defining the tropics to specifics about cultivars of particular species of tropical fruits [...] Tropical Fruits presents an excellent range of information with outstanding clarity and completeness. These properties make it a valuable resource for beginners and amateur growers as well as for academics and professionals [...] [T]his book would be wholly appropriate for the reading list of an introductory class in horticulture, and would be useful even on the supplemental reading list for an introductory botany class. It is highly recommended."
- Plant Science Bulletin