India ranks second in fruit production in the world, after China. As per National Horticulture Database during 2020-21, India produced 102.48 million metric tonnes of fruits and the area under cultivation of fruits stood at 9.6 million hectares. Therefore, it can be said that the fruits are the real wealth in India and it contributes significantly in the national GDP and economy of our country. The book on "Guide Book of Fruit Diseases" focuses primarily on diseases of important temperate, tropical and subtropical fruit crops like apple, banana, citrus, grape, guava, mango, litchi, jackfruit, dragon fruit, ber, bel, aonla, sapota, etc. The geographical distribution, crop losses, symptoms, causal organisms, favourable conditions, disease cycle and efficient management with new advances of each crop are presented. High-quality photographs are included in each chapter for the better identification of symptom. Though significant work has been done on the diseases of these crops over the years, consolidated information on the diseases of these crops are lacking in one place. The information on the diseases of fruit crops are given in crisp manner, so that it is easily understandable and are of practical utility. In this book disease cycle of different diseases are also depicted, which give better understanding of the disease. The photographs of the symptom will be useful for identifying the disease by the fruit workers. The chapters are contributed by the leading specialist scientists of the concerned fruit crop which gives authentic information of the concerned fruit. The information compiled in this book would be useful for growers/farmers, consultants, managers, horticulturists, plant pathologists, extension workers, teachers, students and agribusiness representatives, who are concerned with the fruit cultivation

Dr. A.K. Misra

Dr. A.K. Misra, a recipient of Award by President of India, former Head, Division of Crop Protection,
CISH, Lucknow and Project Coordinator, AICRP on Subtropical Fruits has unique blend of
outstandingly contribution in the field of plant pathology and horticulture. He joined ICAR during the
year 1978 and superannuated after 38 years of glorious service at CRRI, Cuttack and CISH, Lucknow
in September, 2016. As project coordinator (2008-2013), he guided and monitored researches on
mango, guava, litchi and grapes at 20 centers of AICRP on Subtropical fruits. He published the
monumental useful catalogues of mango wealth of Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, which
is a permanent asset for mango workers throughout the world. He also published catalogue of
grapes and litchi, which are unique guide for grape and litchi workers. He has about 570 publications
to his credit with 70 books/ bulletins/ proceedings/ annual reports. He was chief editor and editor of
“Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture” for 14 years, besides two periodicals for 7 years each.
He received Award from President of India - Rajeev Gandhi Rashtriya Gyan Vigyan Maulik Pustak
Lekhan Puraskar during 2014 for his book on mango diseases and disorder in Hindi.
On the basis of his contribution in the area of Plant Pathology, he was conferred “Life Time
Achievement Award 2018” by Doctor’s Krishi Evam Bagwani Vikas Sanstha, Lucknow, K.C. Mehta and
Manoranjan Mitra Memorial Award, IPS 2006, Plant Pathology Leadership Award, 2013 IPS (MEZ),
Sharda Lele Memorial Award, IPS, 2017 and Dr. Panjab Singh Distinguished Agricultural Scientist
Award- 2017 by UP Council of Agricultural Sciences, Lucknow.
He is Fellow of UPAAS, Lucknow; IPS, New Delhi; ISMPP, Udaipur; ISPP, Ludhiana; SDSH, Lucknow;
and CHAI, New Delhi.
He was President of Indian Phytopathological Society for the year 2014-16, Zonal President (MEZ) of
IPS, New Delhi (2012), Vice President, ISPP, Ludhiana (2012-13), Vice President, SDSH, Lucknow
(2010-13), President, ARS forum (CISH 2012-13). Besides, he was Councillor, IPS, New Delhi, ISMPP,
Udaipur, ISPP, Ludhiana, ARRW, Cuttack and Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Lucknow (1987). He
was also member IMC of several institutes, member RAC, NRC on Banana and member QRT of IIHR
and AICRP (Fruits), Bangalore.