Whether a symbol of the South Seas or a dream of tropical holidays, the coconut palm is first and foremost a plant grown, and also consumed, by millions of farmers. In this book, 34 important coconut varieties from 18 different countries are each depicted with a plate of exquisite photographs and a one-page text. This book also explains the botany and history of the coconut palm, and describes the ethnology of those who cultivate it. Did you know, for instance, that Tahitian healers used a piece of coconut shell to repair skull fractures? This book displays many other amazing anecdotes about this mythical palm. It is an indispensable reference for those who search having a general knowledge about agriculture and ethnology in the tropical coastal zones and islands.

"This book is for the person who lives in the tropics or subtropics and is interested in native plants, who wants to know about plants that are useful, who loves to watch plants grow, and who is willing to work with them. Such a person might ask questions like, Where will they grow? How do I grow them? Are they good to eat? How are they used? What are their names? These questions and more are answered here."--Préface

Whether a symbol of the South Seas or a dream of tropical holidays, the coconut palm is first and foremost a plant grown, and also consumed, by millions of farmers. In this book, 34 important coconut varieties from 18 different countries are each depicted with a plate of exquisite photographs and a one-page text. This book also explains the botany and history of the coconut palm, and describes the ethnology of those who cultivate it. Did you know, for instance, that Tahitian healers used a piece of coconut shell to repair skull fractures? This book displays many other amazing anecdotes about this mythical palm. It is an indispensable reference for those who search having a general knowledge about agriculture and ethnology in the tropical coastal zones and islands.

Horticultural Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on topics in horticultural science and technology covering both basic and applied research. Topics covered include the horticulture of fruits, vegetables, nut crops, and ornamentals. These review articles, written by world authorities, bridge the gap between the specialized researcher and the broader community of horticultural scientists and teachers.

Coconut water, a naturally-canned tropical beverage, has been gaining popularity in recent years and has drawn the attention world over as a natural and nutritional wellness beverage. The research published thus far on coconut water has mainly focused on its specific uses, biochemical composition and health benefits as well as processing and preservation techniques and has been published mostly in journal articles. Only a few books covering a wide spectrum of coconut water for health and wellness are currently available. This work offers a comprehensive and fully updated overview of coconut water from processing techniques to value addition to safety to nutritional benefits and beyond. Coconut Water: Processing, Distribution & Nutritional Benefits provides in-depth details on all of the major processing techniques required to produce and maintain a quality product free of contamination and adulteration. The book covers the standards of coconut water production and distribution in various countries enabling the processors and exporters to manufacture and export for better revenue realization. The book also provides details of patents related to coconut water granted to researchers. Another important aspect of this work is comprehensive coverage on the various nutritional and health benefits of coconut water consumption as well as on the value addition (traditional and innovative products). In markets across the world, consumers of all ages have been turning to coconut water for its taste and nutritional benefits. This book will provide researchers, processors and exporters the comprehensive information needed to produce and market quality, nutritional coconut water for consumers.

When one is privileged to participate long enough in a professional capacity, certain trends may be observed in the dynamics of how challenges are met or how problems are solved. Agricultural research is no exception in view of how the plant sciences have moved forward in the past 30 years. For example, the once grand but now nearly forgotten art of whole plant physiology has given way almost completely to the more sophisticated realm of molecular biology. What once was the American Society of Plant Physiologists’ is now the American Society of Plant Molecular Biology; a democratic decision to indemnify efforts to go beyond the limits of the classical science and actually begin to understand the underlying biological basis for genetic regulation of metabolic mechanisms in plants. Yet, as new technologies open windows of light on the inner workings of biological processes, one might reminisce with faint nostalgia on days long past when the artisans of plant physiology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry and other scientific disciplines ebbed and waned in prominence. No intentional reference is made here regarding Darwinism; the plant sciences always have been extremely competitive. Technology is pivotal. Those who develop and/or implement innovative concepts typically are regarded as leaders in their respective fields. Each positive incremental step helps bring recognition and the impetus to push a scientific discipline forward with timely approaches to address relevant opportunities.

Since the publication of "The coconut palm - A monograph" in 1960, considerable information has been accrued on the crop through work at research institutes, international organisations and development agencies. Although coconut cultivation is spread over 93 countries, providing employment and creating livelihood opportunities to 64 million families around the globe, smallholder coconut farmers are now facing numerous challenges. The wide gap between the potential and actual yield is a major concern, and as such it is necessary to disseminate knowledge in order to implement research findings. Coconut research in India, one of the leading coconut producing countries, is celebrating its centenary, making this an opportune time to review the research and development advances and the relevant technologies. This detailed, comprehensive book covers all aspects of coconut, from the origins to cultivation, breeding, physiology and value addition, as well as subjects of topical interest like nutrition and health, biotechnology, and climate change and carbon sequestration. Written by leading experts in the fields it emphasises that the livelihood of the small coconut landholders is the ultimate aim of scientists and developmental agencies, and outlines various important strategies to make coconut farming more remunerative globally. It discusses work in all the major coconut growing countries and outlines suggestions for international cooperation. Research work on the crop is comparatively difficult because of its perennial nature, longevity, height, long juvenile phase, large sized nuts, cross pollination and seed propagation. As these special features necessitate greater investment of resources, time and land, it is all the more imperative that research is not duplicated and the information and experience becoming available around the world is shared so that it can be fully utilised. In this context periodic publications, compiling all the available information on coconut assume greater significance. This book is therefore of great value to researchers, students, extension workers, developmental agencies and progressive farmers.

Widely known as the ‘tree of life’, coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) provides a bountiful source for making a wide variety of healthy foods and industrial items. Its cultivation, however, has been encountering seriously destructive issues including lethal diseases and natural adversities which are currently distressing livelihoods of millions of small-holder farmers around the world. There is an urgent mandate to resolve these issues by meeting sustainable seedling production, facilitating genetic conservation, as well as developing disease identification and modern breeding. This book introduces improvements in coconut biotechnology by covering the advances in micropropagation, germplasm conservation, and molecular pathogenic diagnosis. This comprehensive volume will be a useful source of information and references to researchers, graduate students, agricultural developers, and scholars in the plant sciences. In order to benefit general readers, the book also covers fundamental aspects of biology, diversity, and evolution of this marvelous palm species.

Genetic engineering and biotechnology along with conventional breeding have played an important role in developing superior cultivars by transferring economically important traits from distant, wild and even unrelated species to the cultivated varieties which otherwise could not have been possible with conventional breeding. There is a vast amount of literature pertaining to the genetic improvement of crops over last few decades. However, the wonderful results achieved by crop scientists in food legumes’ research and development over the years are scattered in different journals of the World. The two volumes in the series ‘Alien Gene Transfer in Crop Plants’ address this issue and offer a comprehensive reference on the developments made in major food crops of the world. These volumes aim at bringing the contributions from globally renowned scientists at one platform in a reader-friendly manner. The second volume entitled, “Alien Gene Transfer in Crop Plants: Achievements and Impact” will deal more with the practical aspects. This volume will cover achievements of alien gene transfer in major food crops of the world and their impact on development of newer genetic variability and additional avenues for selection; development of superior cultivars for increased yield, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, improved nutritional and industrial quality; innovation of new techniques and positive as well as negative environmental implications. This volume has been divided into four groups with an aim to cover all major cereals, pulses, oilseeds and other crops (vegetable and horticultural crops) which are of economic importance.