Bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa), an ayurvedic plant with ethnomedicinal value is a native fruit crop of India and is widely distributed throughout the country. Besides, it has great mythological significance. The Hindus use trifoliate compound leaves of the tree and young fruit for the worship of Lord Shiva. Bael fruit is nutritionally rich in protein, fat, minerals (Ca and Fe) and vitamins (riboflavin, β carotene and Vitamin C). It is a potential source of several medicinal properties as all parts of plant viz., leaves, roots, bark, fruits, seeds, etc. are used in preparation of various medicines. It also acts as a sink for chemical pollutants, as it absorbs poisonous gases from atmosphere and make them neutral. The tree is also considered under the category of “Fragrant” species, whose flower and volatile vapours neutralize bad smell. In some rough estimate, it is estimated that around 8,000 hectares of land are now under the improved bael varieties cultivation with an approximate fruit production of 7,000 tonnes. The crop plays an integral part in the lives of many, not only by being a rich nutrient source and medicinal properties but also as a source of livelihood for millions of peoples.

The book "Hand Book of Bael" authored by Dr. A.K. Misra, Dr. D. Pandey and Dr. Himanshu Pandey focuses primarily on different aspects of bael crop cultivation including its mythological and medicinal importance. The information on the bael crop cultivation is given in crisp manner, so that it is easily understandable and is of practical utility. High-quality coloured photographs are included in the book on the various aspects of the bael crop, including varieties, propagation, cultivation, diseases, pests and post-harvest aspects for the better understanding of the operation, identification, understanding and concept. In this book, important bael varieties and new varieties developed are described with photographs, which is very useful for bael lovers to identify the varieties. Typical symptoms of the diseases, pests and disorders and life cycle of different diseases and pests are also depicted, which give better understanding about protection aspects. The photographs of the symptom will be useful for identifying the diseases and pests by the fruit workers. Post-harvest aspects are described in a manner that it is useful for bael lovers, house ladies, farmers and entrepreneurs. Though, significant work has been done in the country and abroad on bael crop over the years, consolidated handy useful information on the crop in one place is lacking. The information presented in this book would be very useful for bael research workers, fruit workers, horticulturists, consultants, managers, extension workers, teachers, students, agribusiness representatives and bael lovers, growers/farmers, who are concerned with the bael cultivation, production, protection, post-harvest and commerce.

Dr. A.K. Misra, a recipient of Award by President
of India, former Project Coordinator, AICRP on
Subtropical Fruits and Head, Division of Crop
Protection, CISH, Lucknow has unique blend of
outstandingly contribution in the field of
horticulture and fruit pathology. He joined ICAR
during the year 1978 and superannuated after 38
years of glorious service. He worked at CRRI,
Cuttack and CISH, Lucknow and superannuated 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 are 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 580
publications to his credit with 70 books/ bulletins/ proceedings/annual
reports, etc. 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, Dr. Panjab Singh
Distinguished Agricultural Scientist Award- 2017 by UP Council of
Agricultural Sciences, Lucknow and Recognition award 2023 by IPS,
New Delhi.
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 unit (2012-13). Besides, he was Councilor,
IPS, New Delhi, ISMPP, Udaipur, ISPP, Ludhiana, ARRW, Cuttack and
Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Lucknow. He was also member, IMC
of several institutes, member RAC, NRC on Banana, member Accreditation
Committee, Sri. Konda Laxman Telangana State Hort. Univ., Mulugu. QRT
of IIHR and AICRP (Fruits), Bangalore.
Dr Devendra Pandey

Dr Devendra Pandey, former Principal Scientist
(Horticulture), Central Institute for Subtropical
Horticulture, Lucknow also worked as acting Head,
Division of Crop Improvement and Biotechnology
and acting Director, CISH, Lucknow. He has been
actively engaged in research and coordination for
more than 39 years. He did his post-graduation in
Horticulture from Narendra Deva University of
Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya and Ph. D from Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He was awarded university
merit scholarship for his graduation programme at NDUA&T and junior
and senior research fellowships of ICAR for M.Sc (Ag.) and Ph.D
programmes respectively. Dr. Pandey has contributed significantly in
various areas of Horticulture (Pomology), especially in crops viz. aonla
and bael. Two Aonla varieties namely CISH A-1 and CISH A-2 and three

bael varieties namely Awadh Arpan (CISH-B-1), Awadh Shresth (CISH-
B-2) and CISH-B-3 are in his credit. These varieties are gaining popularity

throughout in India. Besides, he also contributed significantly in collection
and evaluation of subtropical fruits germplasm, standardization of root stock

and propagation techniques in mango and guava, standardization of agro-
techniques including crop regulation in guava, salt tolerance studies on

bael and aonla and causes and control of mango malformation. Dr. Pandey
earlier also monitored and coordinated the activities of AICRP on subtropical
fruit for 12 years. He was also project leader of five externally funded
projects and published more than 56 research papers in the reputed journals,
85 articles, 33 book chapters, 11 bulletins, 9 folders and 4 books.

Dr Himanshu Pandey

Dr Himanshu Pandey is currently serving as a
Research Associate at the Indian Institute of
Vegetable Research, Varanasi. He has successfully
qualified the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment
Board (ASRB) National Eligibility Test (NET) and
the DBT Graduate Aptitude Test. He holds a
Master’s degree from the University of Agricultural
Sciences, Bangalore and completed his Ph.D from
Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and
Forestry. Dr. Himanshu has published 7 research
papers, 12 book chapters and 10 review articles through renowned
publishers such as Frontiers, Springer and Elsevier. One patent is also to
his credit. He also serves as a ‘Review Editor’ for Frontiers in Agronomy.