A vast land resource (39.54 m ha) in the country characterized as arid region is under utilized, having good potential for quality production of several horticulturla crops. The development of arid horticulture is comparatively recent, hence the published literature on this vital subject is also scaty. Therefore an effort was made to compile the work done so far in the field of arid horticulture with special reference to Indian scenario in form of a book to develop the knowledge base of all those involved in research and development of arid horticulture. This book will be useful for the scientists, teachers, researcher, students, policy makers and also for the arid crop based industry personnel. The contributors of different chapters included in the book are eminent in their field.

Table of Contents:
Changing scenario in arid horticulture; Climatic constraints and management in the Indian arid zone; Arid zone soils: Characterisitics, constraints and management; Cold arid horticulture: An overview; Genetic resources and conservation strategies in arid fruits; Under-exploited flora of arid ecosystem; Techniques of survey, collection and evaluation of horticultural; Introduction of Exotics; Approaches for improvement of fruit crops; Breeding for biotic stress in arid fruits; Improvement of arid vegetables; Ethnobotanical importance of cucurbits in India; Potentials of biotechnology in arid horticulture; Nursery management in arid ecosystem; Advances in propagation of arid fruit crops; Protected cultivation technology for arid regions of India; Branching pattern, bearing habit and crop regulation in ber and pomegranate; Integrated nutrient management in arid horticultural crops; Irrigation management in fruit crops; Soil mositure management in arid zone fruits; Organic farming for arid fruits: Status, issues and strategies; Mulching for sustainable production of horticultural crops; Scope of medicinal and aromatic plants in arid region; Seed spices; problems and prospects in Indian arid zone; Prospects of floriclture in arid regions; Wasteland: A boon for commercial horticulture; Fruit-based agroforestry systems for arid regions; Integrated pest management in arid fruits; Storage, packaging and marketing strategies; Integrated pest management in fruits; Integrated disease management in fruits and vegetables; Extension strategies for promtion of arid horticulture; Relevance of gender in arid horticulture: Status, Needs and future thrust; Participatory development of horticulture in arid zone; Addbreviatation and Acronyms used; Subject Index; List of contributors;