Advances in Research on Vegetable Production Under a Changing Climate Vol. 1

A considerable change in climate at a global level will impact the vegetable cultivation and agriculture as a whole; subsequently affecting the world’s food supply. Climate change per se is not necessarily harmful; the problems arise from extreme events that are difficult to predict (erratic rainfall patterns and unpredictable high and low temperatures), and consequently reduce crop productivity. Vegetables are in general more succulent (have 90% water) and are more sensitive to climatic vagaries. Sudden changes in temperature coupled with irregular precipitation at any phase of crop growth can affect the normal growth, flowering, pollination, fruit setting, fruit development and fruit ripening can decrease the yield. The irregular precipitation can also affect the soil salinity and is a major challenge in many vegetable growing areas. To mitigate the harmful impact of climatic change there is a urgent need to develop adequate adaptation strategies for adverse effect of climate change and the preference should be given on development of heat, cold, drought, flood and salinity stress tolerant genotypes along with climate proofing through conventional and non-conventional breeding techniques. Available evidence shows that there is a high probability of increase in the frequency and intensity of climate related natural hazards due to climate change and hence increases the potential threat due to climate change related natural disasters in the world. This book (Volume- I) will be basically useful for the researchers and postgraduate students with current challenges and mitigation strategies for increasing vegetable production under a changing climate.

Dr. Shashank Shekhar Solankey is presently working as Assistant Professor–cum–Jr. Scientist (Horticulture: Vegetable Science) at Dr. Kalam Agricultural College, Kishanganj under Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur), India. He acquired Masters Degree in Vegetable Science from Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (India) in 2006 and Doctorate in Horticulture from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (India) in 2010. He has qualified ICAR-ASRB NET examination in 2008. He has worked as Research Associate at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, India. He has more than 7 years of experience in teaching and research. His prime targeted area of research is biotic and abiotic stress resistance as well as quality improvement in vegetables, particularly, solanaceous crops and okra. Dr. Solankey has supervised four M.Sc. students and handled several research projects. He has awarded with Best Teacher Award (2016) and Best Researcher Award (2016) by BAU, Sabour including these he has 14 International/ National/Institutional Awards as well as published 50 research papers, 07 review papers, 01 souvenir paper, 08 books, 01 abstract book, 36 book chapters, 15 popular articles, etc. He is also life time member of several societies, editorial board member and reviewer of many reputed journals. 
Dr. Meenakshi Kumari is presently working as Senior Research Fellow in Department of Vegetable Science at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. She has specialization in Vegetable Science. She acquired Masters in Horticulture (Vegetable & Floriculture) from Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur), Bihar in 2016 and Doctorate in Vegetable Science from Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (India) in 2019. She has qualified ICAR-ASRB NET examination in the Discipline of Vegetable Science in 2017 and qualified ICAR-SRF exam in 2016.  Ms. Kumari has awarded with Best Poster, Oral Presentation Awards (2018), Best Article Award (2018) and Best Thesis Award (2018) for her M.Sc. Research work by the Society for Agriculture Innovation & Development, Ranchi (Jharkhand) & Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna (Bihar) in National Conference on Livelihood and Food Security (LFS-2018). She has also selected for DST- Inspire fellowship for her Doctorate, by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. She also got first rank in both Master and Doctorate. Other than these, she has International/ National/ Institutional Awards for different presentations/ thesis as well as 22 Research papers (National & International), 05 Review paper, 23 Book Chapters, 02 books, 1 manual, 05 Popular articles and above 30 Abstracts/ Extended Summary. She is also life time member of several societies and reviewer of many reputed journals.
Mr. Manoj Kumar is presently working as Ph.D. Research Scholar in Department of Vegetable Science at ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, (Karnataka) under ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. He has specialization in Vegetable Science. He has completed his graduation from University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India in 2014. He acquired Masters in Horticulture (Vegetable Science) from University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India in 2016. He has qualified ICAR-ASRB NET examination in Discipline of Vegetable Science in 2017. Mr. Kumar has awarded with Best Poster Award (2016) for his M.Sc. Research work by University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka in the ‘National Conference on Post Graduate Research in State Agricultural Universities’. He has also received ICAR-National Talent Scholarship (NTS) for Under Graduation and Post Graduation. He also got selection for ICAR- Senior Research Fellowship(SRF), ICAR-IARI Fellowship and UGC- National Fellowship for Higher Education for his Doctorate by Government of India. Other than these, he has 11 Research papers (National & International), 7 Book Chapters, 03 Popular articles and above 15 Abstracts/ Extended Summary.