Exotic Fruit Crops of India is a comprehensive and authoritative reference that delves into the fascinating world of non-native and underutilized fruit crops cultivated across India. This book serves as a vital resource for horticulturists, researchers, students, and progressive farmers aiming to diversify fruit production, enhance nutritional security, and tap into niche export markets.

Edited by a panel of eminent horticultural scientists — Dr. K. Gopal, Dr. B. Srinivasulu, Dr. S. Firoz Hussain, Dr. K. Ajay Kumar, and Dr. M. Ramaiah — the book provides a detailed account of more than 15 exotic fruit crops, including avocado, dragon fruit, passion fruit, durian, mangosteen, rambutan, kiwifruit, longan, wood apple, and many others.

The content covers:

• Origin and distribution

• Botanical description

• Climate and soil requirements

• Propagation techniques

• Cultivation practices

• Pest and disease management

• Harvesting and postharvest handling

• Nutritional and economic importance

Special emphasis is placed on the adaptability of these crops under Indian agro-climatic conditions and their potential for commercial cultivation. With contributions from leading experts, this book bridges the gap between research advancements and field-level implementation.

Dr. K. Gopal, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, completed his B.Sc. (Agriculture) and M.Sc. (Ag.) in Plant Pathology from ANGRAU, S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, and his Ph.D. (Ag.) in Plant Pathology from UAS, Bengaluru. He has successfully handled many externally funded projects including DBT, DST, NATP (CGP), RKVY, APCOST, and ICAR-CHES, working extensively on crops like sweet orange, acid lime, turmeric, onion, knolkhol, coriander, and capsicum. He established a Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory for indexing of sweet orange scion mother trees to ensure virus-free planting material supply to orchardists across the country. He developed several horticultural technologies in sweet orange and acid lime, produced lakhs of virus-free grafts and seedlings, and introduced the “Balaji” acid lime variety known for its cancer resistance and high yield potential. His contributions have earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), Outstanding Plant Protection Award (2024), and the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award (2025). He has also received several other awards such as the Dr. B. Vasantharaj David Award, Shri V.P. Gokhale Prize, Dr. Shyam Singh Best Citrus Scientist Award, Prof. H.C. Dube Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Sardar Patel Award, and Distinguished Faculty Award, among many others. With over 127 national and 16 international research papers, 19 popular articles, 24 leaflets/folders, 124 conference papers, 26 radio talks, and 66 television programs to his credit, he has made an indelible mark in agricultural sciences. He also serves as the President of the Indian Society of Plant Pathologists and holds fellowships in multiple scientific societies.

Dr. B. Srinivasulu, Registrar of Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, obtained his M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. in Horticulture from Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh. His contributions to horticulture include the evolution of three coconut varieties—Gautami Ganga, Kalpa Prathibha, and Kerabastar—as well as work on NATP projects addressing the coastal agro-ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh. He established facilities like the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Bio-Control Laboratory, and Model Nursery through ICAR and SHM funding. He also identified a colored Baneshan clone and evaluated new mango hybrids. Dr. Srinivasulu has guided five Ph.D. and eight M.Sc. horticulture students as Chairman, and four students as Advisory Committee member. He has been actively involved in academic and research governance, serving on the Academic Council and Board of Faculty for UG and PG programs. His efforts at the HRS, Anantapuramu, led to it being awarded the Best AICRP Centre on Arid Zone Fruits (2019). Recognized with the Rytu Nestham Award (2016) and the Distinguished Scientist Award (2017), he has attended 27 national and international seminars, published 49 research articles, 146 popular articles, and participated in 164 farmer training programs, 44 radio talks, and 26 TV programs. He also developed tamarind varieties such as “Thettu Amalika” and “Anantha Rudhira” (red tamarind) released from HRS, Anantapuramu.

Dr. S. Firoz Hussain, Scientist (Horticulture) at Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Vonipenta, completed his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Horticulture, M.Sc. (Hort.) in Fruit Science, and Ph.D. (Hort.) in Fruit Science from Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University. His Ph.D. research was guided by Dr. B.N.S. Murthy, former Horticulture Commissioner, DAC&FW, GOI, and former Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru. At KVK, he conducted several on-farm trials and frontline demonstrations in horticulture, with additional focus on plant protection. He received the UGC–Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Ph.D. studies and the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award from the Society for Horticultural Research and Development, Ghaziabad. He has published 14 research papers in national and international journals and 8 popular articles.

Dr. Kuruba Ajay Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Department of VSSD, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, pursued his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Horticulture at Dr. Y.S.R.H.U., College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta. He completed his M.Sc. (Hort.) in Fruit Science from UHS, Bagalkot, Bengaluru Campus, and his Ph.D. (Hort.) in Fruit Science from SAS, Nagaland University. He has published 12 research articles in reputed journals. His academic journey has been supported by multiple fellowships, including the MHRD Junior Research Fellowship (2017), ICAR-SRF (2019), and UGC Non-Net Fellowship (2020). He was awarded the Best Poster Paper Award at the Indian Horticulture Congress, Uttar Pradesh (2021), and the Young Researcher Award by RVSKV, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in 2023.

Dr. M. Ramaiah, Professor and Head, Department of Entomology, Dr. Y.S.R.H.U., College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta, has held various positions such as Principal of the Horticulture Diploma College, Kalikiri; Senior Scientist (Entomology), ARS, Chintapalli; and Scientist (Entomology), Citrus Research Station, AICRP on Tropical Fruits, Tirupati. He completed his B.Sc. (Agriculture) and M.Sc. (Ag.) in Entomology from ANGRAU, S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, and his Ph.D. (Ag.) in Entomology from ICAR–IARI, New Delhi. With 45 research articles and 25 popular articles published in national and international journals, Dr. Ramaiah has also guided nine postgraduate students and eight Ph.D. students in entomology. His teaching contributions span UG, PG, and doctoral levels, significantly shaping the field of entomology within horticultural sciences.