Pests remain one of the most persistent and dynamic challenges in modern agriculture, with profound implications for crop yield, quality, and overall farm economics. Insect Pests of Vegetables, Spices, and Ornamentals Identification and Management is a comprehensive and practical guide that delves into the diverse pest species affecting these high-value horticultural crops. The book addresses their biology, identification, behavior, and effective management strategies to ensure sustainable crop production.
Vegetables, known for their nutritional importance and economic value, are particularly vulnerable to insect attacks due to their short growing seasons and intensive cultivation. Likewise, spicesintegral to culinary, medicinal, and industrial applicationssuffer from reduced productivity due to persistent pest infestations. Ornamentals, a growing sector in global horticultural trade, also face significant yield and aesthetic losses from pests and mites.
With detailed chapters covering common and emerging pest species, the book offers:
- Scientific identification and lifecycle details of key pests and mites
- Insight into pest-host interactions and crop damage symptoms
- Eco-friendly and integrated pest management (IPM) solutions
- Real-world applicability for both field and protected cultivation systems
- Intended for students, researchers, extension personnel, farmers, and horticulture professionals, the book balances ecological understanding with hands-on guidance. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable and environmentally conscious pest control methods that align with long-term agricultural resilience
In light of the rising export potential and domestic importance of vegetables, spices, and ornamentals, this book provides timely and essential knowledge to support pest-resilient farming systems. It stands as an indispensable reference for anyone committed to safeguarding plant health and improving productivity
