Part-A : Spices - � Black Pepper � Small Cardamom � Large Cardamom � Ginger � Turmeric � Paprika and Chilli � Vanilla � Allspice � Cinnamon and Cassia � Clove � Curry Leaf � Garcinia � Nutmeg � Tamarind � Ajwain � Coriander � Cumin � Fennel � Fenugreek Part-B : Plantation Crops- � Coconut � Oil Palm � Arecanut � Cocoa � Coffee � Tea � Palmyra � Cashew � Rubber The present volume is the first in the series on the �Breeding of Horticultural crops�. Each volume in the series being edited by very eminent scientists in the field. Dr.V.A.Parthasarathy an eminent Horticultural scientists is the Senior Editor for the series. The first volume is devoted to Spices and Plantation crops as India has a great tradition in these crops. Many a foreign invasion into this country has been primarily for gaining control over Spice Trade. India is also a leading producer of different spices and plantation crops and the research on these crops have started over a century ago in Kerala at Kasaragod. Hence, it was decided to start the series with these wonderful crops which has a great bearing on Indian economy. The book is divided into two parts, namely, plantation crops and spices. Twelve spice crops and nine plantation crops have been covered in this book. Each crop has been dealt in detail under various headings such as History and origin, Species and cultivars, Cytogenetics, Genetic resources survey, collection, conservation and evaluation; blossom biology, breeding objectives, approaches for crop improvement using various methods ,molecular aided breeding , biotechnological approaches, marker-assisted selection, bioinformatics, IPR issues and finally achievements and future thrusts. The book would be great use to all researchers in Horticulture in general and to those working on these crops. This would be valuable text for M.Sc and Ph.D. courses as well for ICAR NET and ARS exams.