Berry crops include, but are not limited to, the genera: Fragaria (strawberry, Rosaceae), Ribes (currant and gooseberry, Grossulariaceae), Rubus (brambles: raspberry and blackberry; Rosaceae), Vaccinium (blueberry, cranberry and lingonberry; Ericaceae) and Vitis (grapes, Vitaceae). The significant role of these fruits in maintaining human health has increased their popularity and production, dramatically, across the world. This Special Issue of Agronomy covers berry crops in the areas of breeding, genetics, germplasm, production systems, propagation, plant and soil nutrition, pest and disease management, postharvest, health benefits, marketing and economics and other related areas. The aim will be to bring together a collection of valuable articles that will serve as a foundation of innovative ideas for production and protection of health-promoting berry crops in changed environment.]

Blueberry cultivation has increased dramatically as production has shifted into new regions. Blueberries are now widely available as food and also processed to be used in medicine and pharmaceuticals for their antioxidant properties. This new and updated edition covers the major topics of interest to blueberry breeders and researchers including botany, physiology, nutrition, growth regulation, photosynthesis, environment, weeds, pests, diseases and postharvest management. The main focus is on the most important cultivated species, the highbush blueberry, although information on other blueberries and related species is also provided. It is an essential resource for soft fruit researchers, extension workers, academics, breeders, growers, and students.

This practical book provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of all aspects of the commercial production of blackberries and their hybrids, covering plant growth and development, cultivar description and selection, propagation, pruning, soil and water management, postharvest management, economics and marketing, and pest identification and management. Cultivated blackberries are a relatively new crop, but with new cultivars and cultural practices they are now grown and available worldwide. Production regions have expanded internationally due to innovative methods showing much promise and evidence of human health benefits.

A garden without berries is like spring without flowers. But with ever-increasing prices at grocery stores and markets, berries have sadly become a rare treat for most people. Successful Berry Growing is a book to solve this problem for good! A lifelong organic farmer, homesteader and student of everything agricultural, Gene Logsdon knows a thing or two about growing berries. And although Successful Berry Growing is geared to the small-scale or family operation, the information inside is useful for growing berries on any scale. You’ll learn how to: Optimize your soil for berry growing; Choose the right berry varieties for your climate; Properly plant and prune your berry plants; Keep your plants healthy and disease-free; With detailed information on cultivating strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, currants, gooseberries, cranberries, elderberries, huckleberries and more, Successful Berry Growing is all you need to grow nature’s most delicious candy in your own backyard!

Recent interest in the health-related, culinary, and biological properties of berries is stimulating new initiatives in berry breeding and production. Breakthroughs in molecular technologies allow genomics-enabled approaches to augment research efforts. This volume documents the basic botany and culture of four major berry crops and follows the sci

The objective of this book is to provide information to be used as a basis for evaluating the fragile, shaky structure of global food production. The volume analyses the data by region and by intensity of cultivation; and furnishes information about the yield response, giving some indication of the health of the plants. It will be invaluable to all plant and crop scientists as well as to agriculturalists.