Growth and Development of Horticulture Crops: An Overview of Plant Physiological processes

"Growth and Development of Horticulture Crops" is a comprehensive textbook that explains the principles of Plant Physiology as they relate specifically to horticultural crops. The book describes how plants grow and develop through processes such as cell division, elongation, differentiation, and organ formation, and how these processes are coordinated from seed germination to senescence. Detailed attention is given to major developmental phases including vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set, fruit development, ripening, dormancy, and ageing. A major focus of the book is the role of Plant Growth Regulators like auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, and abscisic acid in regulating growth, flowering, fruiting, abscission, and stress responses. The text also covers core physiological processes such as Photosynthesis, Respiration, Transpiration, Mineral nutrition, and Water Relations, explaining their significance in crop productivity and quality. Environmental influences including light, temperature, water availability, nutrients, and abiotic stresses in relation to crop growth and yield have also been discussed in the book.