In common with other titles in this series, this volume describes the scientific principles that are the basis of crop production practices. This volume focuses on the leafy salad vegetables of lettuce, endive and chicory. It opens with a review of world production data, crop uses, botany, taxonomy and evolution. It then describes the genetics and breeding of the crop, including cultivar development and germplasm resources. Physiological aspects, such as germination, growth and development, are the discussed. Production methods worldwide, including growing under cover in protected environment are reviewed, before consideration of harvesting and seeds, pests and diseases, and economics and marketing.
Genetics and breeding; physiology; production methods; harvest and postharvest methods; seed production and marketing; diseases and their control; insects and their control; economics.
"The author's qualifications are his many years of active participation, approaching nearly a half-century, in an excellent and productive genetic research and plant breeding program for lettuce and other salad crops. He is widely recognized and highly regarded internationally and nationally, and is revered by all facets of the California and Arizona lettuce industries. The scope of the book is complete, beginning with an excellent introduction to the history, the current situation, and an insight for the future. Ryder provides a rich reservoir of information from a wide range of current referenced literature. The history of lettuce, endive and chicory breeding is well done. Benefits of this book are its clear, extensive, and knowledgeable presentation of relevant information. Furthermore, nothing in print is as current or has this level of detail. The book is too good to pass up." -- Vincent Rubatzky, HortScience, Vol 34(6) Oct 1999