B.Sc. Horticulture Semester VII – Elective Specialization

Production Technology of Tropical Fruit crops

Credits: 3 (2+1) Fruit Science

Course Overview

Official detailed syllabus from the ICAR Sixth Deans’ Committee curriculum.

Course Objectives

i. To teach students origin, systematics, genetic resources, botany and production of tropical fruit crops ii. To impart adequate knowledge and skill tothe students for commercial cultivation of tropical fruit crops

Theory Syllabus

Importance, scope and commercial importance of tropical fruits. Distribution of tropical zones in the world and India. Origin, systematics, distribution, genetic resources, and eco-physiological requirements. Major species, commercial varieties and rootstocks. Propagation, planting, training and pruning. Nutrient and water management. crop regulation, quality improvement by management practices; maturity indices, harvesting, grading, packing, storage and ripening techniques. Physiological disorders, major pests and diseases and their management. Industrial and export potential, Agri. Export Zones (AEZ) and industrial support. Fruit crops- mango, papaya, pineapple, banana, avocado, sapota, guava, jackfruit, tamarind, annonas and minor fruits of tropics viz. carambola, mangosteen, pashion fruit, bilimbi, rambutan, longan and durian.

Practical Syllabus

Description and identification of species and varieties of tropical fruits. Propagation and nursery management of tropical fruit crops. Leaf sampling and nutrient analysis. Rejuvenation of old and unproductive trees. Identification and management of nutritional disorders, insect-pest and diseases. Maturity standards, harvesting, grading, packaging and storage. Visit to commercial orchards.

Suggested Readings

1. Bartholomew D P, Paull R E and Rohrbach K G. 2002. The Pineapple: Botany, Production, and Uses. CAB International.

2. Bose T K and Parthasarathy V A. 2022. Fruits: Tropical and Subtropical. (14th Edn.). Daya Publishing House, New Delhi.

3. Chattopadhyay T K. 2013. A Textbook on Pomology Vol I-II. Kalyani Publications. New Delhi.

4. ICAR. 2019. Handbook of Horticulture (Vol I-II). ICAR Publications, New Delhi.

5. Mitra S K. 2021. Guava: Botany, Production and Uses. CAB International.

6. Paull R E and Duarte O. 2011. Tropical Fruits (Vol. I-II). CAB International.

7. Robinson J C and Saúco V G. 2010. Bananas and Plantains. CAB International.