This book provides a precise and meticulous overview of the production technologies involved in the cultivation of tropical plants. Technological advances have transformed the cultivation of fruit and ornamental plants from agronomic to value-added plants. The book highlights the essentials for developing tropical plants with increased nutritive, nutraceutical, and aesthetic value.

Tropical plants are an integral part of the ecosystem and are of significance for the well-being of humanity. Since their domestication in 10,000 BC, conventional breeding has played a crucial role in their conservation and widespread adaptation worldwide. Advancements in multi-omics approaches, that is, genomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, whole genome sequencing, and annotation, have led to the identification of novel genes involved in crucial metabolic pathways, thus helping to develop tropical plant varieties with desirable traits. Information retrieved from the pan-genome, super-pan-genome, and pan-transcriptome has further uplifted marker-assisted selection and molecular breeding. Tissue culture techniques have not only helped to conserve endangered plant species but have also opened up new avenues in terms of mass-scale propagation of ornamental plants. Transgenic technology is increasingly contributing to the betterment of tropical plants, and different plant species have been engineered for valuable traits. Likewise, genome editing is appearing to be a promising tool to develop tropical plants having the potential to fulfill future needs. Hence, this chapter highlights the importance of conventional and modern scientific approaches for the conservation and improvement of tropical plant species.

Producers spend a great deal of money, natural resources (especially water and soil), labor, and time every year in order to feed the world’s population. However, almost one-third of the products produced as a result of all these efforts are lost before reaching consumers due to postharvest losses, which threaten both the food supply and agricultural sustainability. For this reason, it is extremely important to prevent postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables. In this context, this book provides general and new information about the physiology of postharvest losses and the latest technological developments in postharvest systems. Each chapter provides up-to-date information about the postharvest physiology and technology of fruits and vegetables for students, teachers, professors, scientists, farmers, food packers and sellers, and entrepreneurs engaged in the fresh food preservation industry.

A significant gap exists between traditional knowledge and modern scientific understanding of phytochemicals and ethnobotanical wisdom in botanical science. Despite the commonplace culinary use of many herbs and seasonings, their historical, botanical, and medicinal dimensions often remain overlooked. This gap hinders advancements in various disciplines, including chemistry, pharmacology, botany, and agriculture, limiting the potential for innovative research and sustainable solutions. Ethnobotanical Insights into Medicinal Plants bridges this gap by comprehensively examining these plants' morphology, cultivation techniques, and classifications. This book illuminates their untapped potential and catalyzes innovative healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing research. Integrating ethnobotanical observations with scientific progress enhances the intellectual domain for academics, researchers, and professionals, paving the way for environmentally sustainable methods of producing bioactive substances.