Breeding Approaches in Plantation, Spice, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops

Preface

About the Authors

Introduction

1. Plantation Crops

2. Spice Crops

3. Medicinal Crops

4. Aromatic Crops

5. Genetic Resources

6. Breeding Methods

7. Ideotype Breeding, Breeding Problems and Achievements in Plantation Crops

References

Biography

Richa Sao is Assistant Professor at Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry, Sankara, Patan, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India. She earned her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. Her Ph.D. research was conducted in collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India. She received the 18th Chhattisgarh Young Scientist Award 2023 and the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award 2023 by ICAR National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), India, at the 2nd Indian Rice Congress. She has qualified ASRB NET, India. Her research focuses on crop germplasm characterization, mutation breeding, molecular marker-based profiling, NGS-based genomics and transcriptomic profiling, and conventional breeding. She has published research articles in journals with NAAS ratings above 10 and book chapters in Springer Publications.

Anita Kerketta is Assistant Professor at Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India. She earned her B.Sc. in Agriculture from Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India, in 2013, M.Sc. in Horticulture with specialization in Vegetable Science from Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2015, and Ph.D. in 2020. She has also served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, with five years of teaching experience. 

Bharti Sao is Assistant Professor at Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry, Sankara, Patan, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India. She earned her Ph.D. in Horticulture (Floriculture and Landscape Architecture) from Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India, in 2021. She has over five years of academic experience. Her research focuses on floriculture and landscape architecture, plant mutation breeding, ornamental crop improvement, post-harvest management, and sustainable landscaping practices. She has authored over 12 scientific works including research articles, book chapters in Springer Publications, and extension articles. She received the National Fellowship for OBC Candidates (2018–19) from the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India.

"This volume offers a specialized and technically grounded examination of crop improvement strategies for perennial and high-value species that form the backbone of tropical and subtropical agriculture. Unlike conventional texts focused primarily on annual field crops, this book concentrates on plantation, spice, medicinal, and aromatic species whose breeding demands long-term planning, genetic patience, and ecological sensitivity. The authors clearly articulate the biological realities of these crops, including prolonged juvenile phases, heterozygosity, self-incompatibility, sterility barriers, and complex pollination behaviour. Such factors are examined not as constraints alone but as scientific variables that shape breeding design and selection strategy.

The treatment of plantation crops such as coconut, arecanut, coffee, tea, cocoa, rubber, and oil palm is systematic and research-oriented, detailing objectives related to yield stability, stress tolerance, and quality traits.Particularly commendable is the integration of classical breeding methodologies, selection, hybridization, clonal propagation, and ideotype development, with emerging tools such as molecular markers, cytogenetic analysis, and biotechnology-assisted interventions."

— Taramla Raman, Meghalaya Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India.