Cucurbits

Now fully revised, this second edition of Cucurbits surveys the cultivation of the cucurbit group, which includes cucumbers, gourds, muskmelons, pumpkins, squashes, and watermelons. Grown in nearly every part of the world, these plants make up one of the largest and most important groups of horticultural food crops. The book offers a concise, current account of their production, breeding, and evolution, with full-color figures throughout.

This edition adds two new chapters, one on abiotic stresses and one on the role of cucurbits in human health. It also brings the material on how cucurbit species evolved, spread, and came to be distributed across the globe up to date. Coverage of genetic resources and recent breeding progress has been expanded, and the text now describes current techniques for raising yields, such as grafting, along with approaches to managing pests and diseases and breeding for resistance. An updated list of current taxonomic names is included.

The book is heavily illustrated and written in plain, accessible language. It is intended for students, growers, and researchers who need a wide-ranging reference on these crops.