Advances In Integrated Pest And Disease Management In Horticultural Crops (Fruit Crops)

India is the second largest producer of fruits next only to China contributing 10.9% of the total world production. Total production of fruits has been estimated at 55.355 million tonnes from 5.323 million ha. India is the largest producer of mango, banana and papaya. In grapes, India has recorded the highest productivity per unit area (25.4 tonnes/ha) in the world. Fruits are amongst the most cherished bounties of nature. They are the major sources of Vitamins A and C and minerals like Calcium and Iron. Fresh fruits have low calorific values and are low in fats. The present area under fruit crops is estimated to be about 4.964 million hectares with an estimated production of 49.295 million tonnes. Of the several factors responsible for lower productivity of fruits, nematode parasites constitute an important limiting factor. The present volume deals with pests (insects, mites, vertebrates and nematodes) and diseases (fungal, bacterial and viral/phytoplasma) of fruit crops (tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and semi-arid) and their management using regulatory, physical, cultural, chemical, biological, host resistance and integrated methods.