Strawberries are known since pre-historic times and nowadays, are a very popular crop. They are adapted to variable agro-climates across the temperate to sub-tropical regions of the world and to different forms of cultivation. However, they are easily attacked with various diseases and need special care in post-harvest.
The book is a compilation of 33 chapters, edited by R.M. Sharma, Rakesh Yamdagni, A.K. Dubey, Vikramaditya Pandey, from the Indian Agricultural.
Research Institute, the Division of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. It explores the key elements of strawberries physiology, origins, development, cultivation techniques and post-harvest problems and management. Each of the 33 chapters are written by different contributors, all of them working in different facilities in India. The book deals with latest techniques for strawberry cultivation (open, protected culture, soilless culture), post-harvest management and the challenges and future strategies of this crop. The problems with pest (virus, bacteria, insets) and how to manage them, naturally or with pesticides, as well as the problems with their residues have been also described. It has been written keeping in view the necessities of those wanting to open their knowledge to this crop.
The book starts with first two chapters that include a general introduction and overview of this crop and a chapter describing the concepts more bound to fruit quality and uses. From chapter 3 to 8 all the different aspects of strawberry crop and plant physiology ,and genetics are documented (origin, breeding, varieties, tissue culture, genetic maps). Chapters 8 to 23 are the core of the book, where all the aspects related to cultivation practices are approached, from climatic requirements, soils, planting systems, propagation, nutrition, water management, weed control, pollinization, bioregulators, protected cultivation and soilless culture.
Chapter 24 and 25 are focused on fruit harvesting and the varietal performance, and from Chapter 26 to 31 all the post-harvest issues are dealt with, not forgetting a chapter (Chapter 27) dedicated to the different products that can be obtained from strawberries that may add value to this crop. These chapters are of paramount interest for the profitability of this crop. The physiological disorders, the different diseases and their management and postharvest treatments and storage conditions are very well approached. The two last chapters are entailed to production economics and marketing of this crop, and to the challenges, potential and future strategies.
The book contains many fundamental and applied aspects of strawberry physiology, cultivation and post-harvest and it could serve the need of those interested in this worldwide spread crop, from students to producers and researchers. Most of the book chapters are well illustrated with tables, figures and photos which add value to this interesting book.