"Nature has gifted man with trees for his sustainable livelihood. Trees are an integral part of any landscape. Apart from beautifying our surroundings, trees are used functionally to improve the quality of environment particularly in urban areas, where the environment is degrading at a faster rate. The significance of growing trees is widely understood in recent days. The book on 'Flowering Trees' begins with describing India's heritage in growing trees, the spiritual and religious significance of trees and role of trees in indigenous landscaping and sacred groves, where their main function is conservation of biodiversity. The functional values of trees in modern landscaping such as to reduce glare, climate modification, pollution control, their ecological value and various uses for aesthetic purposes are dealt with in detail in this book. Avenue planting is also described in detail. Principles and designs for planting trees, methods of planting, cultural practices, pruning, problems in tree growing and various methods to overcome them are also described. The psychological effects of plants on human beings and the astrological significance of trees are discussed in this book. The book includes detailed descriptions of ornamental, economic and medicinal trees. Separate s on trees for Bonsai and renewable energy are also included in this book."

The book is a classic covering flowers used in decoration of houses, offices, restaurants, hospitals and private places of rest and relaxation. For nature lovers, it is a paradise of colours, forms and shapes. Fragrant flowers, flowers for bouquet making, flowers for essences and bonsai are narrated to the enchantment of students and scholars as well. There are 21 s dealing with general topics in flower trade, standards, markets and global demand and supply. The specific s deal elaborately anthuriums, carnations, china aster, chrysanthemums, gerbera, gladiolus, helicorneas, jasmine, marigold, orchids, roses and tube roses. An exhaustive on new cut flowers narrates recent introductions .The Japanese Bonsai is dealt in exquisite style. Research and development in this sector are separately dealt with. Future prospects, trends and globalised flower marketing are written for use of floriculturists. Modern technology of protected growing of flowers is informative. All the flowers indicated in the book are presented in colour photograph forms as well.

Medicinal plant cultivation has received an impetus in the recent years due to revival of interest in herbal medicines necessitating authoritative information on cultivation and utilization of this valuable flora. The book on Medicinal Plants includes information on current status of medicinal plants, their phytochemistry, quality control, good agricultural practices and good manufacturing practices in medicinal plants and information on commercially grown medicinal plants and those important in trade. Details on botany, crop improvement, crop protection, crop production, post harvest handling, chemical composition, chemical analyses and uses of commercially grown crops are also included. The book which is a systematic compilation of available information on promising 65 medicinal species helps in providing specific information on the cultivation and utilization of these crops to farmers, academicians, students and related user industries. This documented information also serves to give an insight to the major research lacunae and formulate appropriate research strategies in these crops.

This book on 'Aromatic Plants' contains seven s. Introductory on 'History, importance and scope of aromatic plants' deals with the importance of aromatic crops and their close association with human health and beauty care from time immemorial. History of development of cultivation and aroma based industries in different regions of the world is described to emphasize their significance, scope and role in increasing the quality of human life. Classification of aromatic plants based on their climatic requirement, growth habit and floral morphology elaborated in succeeding will be of great interest to students, researchers and farmers. on 'Extraction of aroma principles' describes traditional as well as modern techniques employed for efficient extraction of volatile oils and oleo-resins from different plants materials and equipments employed for the purpose. Quality of oil is found to vary significantly with ecotypes, season, time of collection, crop maturity and weather conditions prevailing during the growth period, extraction method and duration of extraction process. Conditions and duration of storage also have a bearing on quality of essential oil. This necessitates development and imposition of appropriate quality standards in trade. These aspects are covered in fourth on 'Quality assurance of essential oils'. Aromatic oils & their derivatives and combinations occupy a covetable position in holistic medicines such as aromatherapy. on 'Aromatherapy' details the use of essential oils in human health care, techniques employed, aromatherapy message, aromatic bath, facial care, hair care etc. Information on aromatic oil's vide spread application to relieve stress and rejuvenate body are also included. Sixth and seventh s deal with major and other sources of aromatic oils. Under major sources, 17 aromatic crops and under other sources, 25 crops and discussed in detail. These s include the common name, botanical name and synonyms if any and family, vernacular names, importance and uses, habitat and distribution, agro technology, soil, climate, season, land preparation, planting, seed rate and spacing manurial and fertilizer recommendation, irrigation, weed control, pest control, harvest, propagation techniques, herbal yield, extraction and utilization, oil recovery, oil composition, properties of oil, storage requirements etc.

Commercial crops comprises of crops grown on a plantation scale and are of pivotal importance to the economy and export trade of many developing and developed countries. Commercial crops with long history of cultivation and active support of research and developmental efforts have made great strides in technological advancements. At regular intervals it is necessary to take stock of newly acquired knowledge in crop production and to reason out age-old experience. The book 'Commercial Crops Technology' comprehends the scattered information and provides latest technological advances in nine crops grown on a plantation scale. The book is organized into 10 s with an introductory and one each allotted to nine commercial crops Areca Nut, Cashew, Cocoa, Coconut, Coffee, Oil palm, Palmyra, Rubber and Tea. s have been designed keeping view of the rapid progress and challenges in the field of sustainable crop production. Product diversification has also been given due importance in the light of globalization and free trade. The introductory gives an insight into the present scenario of plantation crop production, its importance, geographical distribution, soils growing, integrated nutrient management, crop protection strategies, cropping and farming systems, management of drought, organic farming, clean development mechanism, implications of IPR and strategies and recommendations. Individual s on crops covers updated information on crop improvement, biotechnology, crop production and management, crop protection and post harvest handling with emphasis on integrated nutrient and pest management, organic crop production and value addition, besides providing basic information on origin and distribution, production trends, botany and R and D institutions. Future outlook on these crops would enable to chalk out achievable programmes and projects. The bibliography facilitates further reading. This publication will be useful to everyone who are associated with commercial crops - farmers, estate managers, extension workers, technologists, policy makers, researchers and students.