About Book

Profitable vegetable and fruit farming requires attention to all production operations, including insect, disease, and weed control and efficient marketing. Vegetable and fruit farming refers to the practice of growing vegetables and fruits for human consumption. It uses methods like raised bed, aquaponics, etc. to improve yield and produce. The kind of fruit and vegetable grown is mainly determined by consumer demands, which can be defined in terms of variety, size, tenderness, flavour, freshness and type of pack. Effective management involves the adoption of techniques resulting in a steady flow of the desired amount of produce over the whole of the natural growing season of the crop. This book aims to equip students and experts with the advanced topics and upcoming concepts in this area such as horticultural practices and methods for crop improvement. It studies weed vegetation, nutrient contents, non-fumigant pesticides, acid soils, quality improvement, fruit agroecosystem, deficit irrigation, organic and conventional production. It presents researches that have transformed this discipline and aided its advancement. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts in the field of vegetable and fruit farming and gardening. For someone with an interest and eye for detail, this book covers the most significant topics in the field of vegetable and fruit farming.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Introductory Chapter: Potassium in Quality Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables.............................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. Potassium as major plant nutrition...................................................1

3. Interaction of potassium with other nutrients................................2

4. Hydroponic nutrient management for improving quality of fruits

and vegetables ......................................................................................3

5. Production of specialty vegetables through hydroponic nutrient

management ..........................................................................................3

6. Conclusion..............................................................................................6

Chapter 2 Deficit Irrigation in Mediterranean Fruit Trees and Grapevines: Water Stress Indicators and Crop Responses....................................10

Abstract.................................................................................................10

1. Introduction..........................................................................................11

2. Concept and strategies of deficit irrigation...................................12

3. Water stress indicators and thresholds...........................................14

4. Responses to deficit irrigation regarding agronomic aspects and

quality....................................................................................................20

5. Conclusions..........................................................................................33

Acknowledgements.............................................................................34

Conflicts of interest.............................................................................34

Abbreviations.......................................................................................34

Chapter 3 Irrigation Management Practices and Their Influence on Fruit Agroecosystem...........................................................................................53

Abstract.................................................................................................53

1. Introduction..........................................................................................54

2. Irrigation management practices, vegetative growth and fruit

productivity..........................................................................................55

3. Conclusion............................................................................................65

Acknowledgements.............................................................................66

Chapter 4 Effects of Acid Soils on Plant Growth and Successful Revegetation

in the Case of Mine Site.........................................................................73

Abstract.................................................................................................73

1. Introduction..........................................................................................74

2. Methods................................................................................................75

3. Results and discussion.......................................................................78

4. Conclusions..........................................................................................91

Acknowledgements.............................................................................92

Chapter 5 Evaluation of Non-fumigant Pesticides as Methyl Bromide

Alternatives for Managing Weeds in Vegetables.............................97

Abstract.................................................................................................97

1. Introduction..........................................................................................98

2. Importance............................................................................................99

3. Background information on LDPE mulch weed control..........100

4. Research..............................................................................................103

5. Purple nutsedge and crop response..............................................105

6. Discussion...........................................................................................117

Chapter 6 Quality and Nutrient Contents of Fruits Produced Under Organic

Conditions.................................................................................................123

Abstract...............................................................................................123

1. Introduction........................................................................................124

2. Fruit nutrient contents.....................................................................125

3. Fruit quality.......................................................................................126

4. Fruit pigments...................................................................................129

5. Conclusions........................................................................................130

Chapter 7 Influence of Climate Change on Weed Vegetation........................133

1. Introduction........................................................................................133

2. Material and methods .....................................................................143

3. Auto-ecological adaptability of weeds ........................................146

4. Conclusions .......................................................................................155

Acknowledgements .........................................................................156

Chapter 8 Tomato Fruit Quality from Organic and Conventional Production.................................................................................................163

1. Introduction........................................................................................163

2. Production methods and fruit quality ........................................164

3. Materials and methods ...................................................................165

4. Phytochemicals .................................................................................166

5. Lycopene content .............................................................................168

6. Mineral content ................................................................................172

7. Index of maturity and taste index ...............................................174

8. Sensory attributes ............................................................................175

9. Heavy metals ....................................................................................177

10. Nitrate content .................................................................................179

11. Conclusion .........................................................................................180

Chapter 9 Water Productivity and Fruit Quality in Deficit Drip Irrigated Citrus Orchards ......................................................................................190

1. Introduction........................................................................................190

2. Options for improving irrigation efficiency.................................191

3. Design factors ...................................................................................195

4. Water saving irrigation response to water management

strategies ............................................................................................200

5. Impact of water irrigation techniques on tree nutritional

status ..................................................................................................202

6. Fruit yield and WPagr response to irrigation strategies ...........203

7. Effect of irrigation management on fruit quality parameters..210

8. Conclusions and future research ..................................................212

Citation......................................................................................................221

Index...........................................................................................................223

About Author

Judith Krasteva pursued her Ph.D. in Organic Farming and Food Production System from Science University, Leeds. She has a vast experience in teaching graduate and undergraduate students. She serves as a Visiting Professor in various research universities across America and Europe. She has authored and edited more than 30 articles and book chapters in the field of vegetable farming. Krasteva is actively engaged in the researches focused on aquaponics, organic farming and crop rotation. She also works as a freelance agronomic writer.