Jose Roby

This small book on "Bell Peppers" explains in detail ideal growing practices and nutritional information of various types of bell peppers such as green bell peppers, red bell peppers, orange bell peppers, white bell peppers, and purple bell peppers. Bell peppers are also known as sweet peppers because they are non-pungent unlike other chili peppers. In some parts of the world, bell peppers are known as capsicums and/or capsicum vegetables.

The book begins with a short narration of current packaging practices followed by present day horticulture industry. After pointing out the disadvantages of some of the current practices, the author categorically states that we do not need to religiously follow traditional packaging practices if we are serious about curtailing the supply chain loss of fruits and vegetables. The author goes on listing out various types of packaging materials that are available today before addressing the major theme of the book, i.e. ‘Modern Innovations in Packaging Materials and Packaging Technologies’. MAP films, MIP films and active and intelligent packing materials are described in detail under this topic. Manufacturing process of polymer-based packing materials is also described for the better understanding of the reader. The author then elaborates on how to select a suitable packing material for your horticultural produce. Major two parameters that are to be considered are packing material properties and product-specific properties. The author makes a reference of various packaging designs and packaging standards also for those who are interested in these topics. According to the author advanced packaging technologies such as modified atmosphere packaging, modified interactive packaging, active and intelligent packaging, TBG technology and packaging technology for microwaveable containers are going to make a big difference in the way how highly perishable fruits and vegetables are packed and consumed. Finally, the author gives a short narration of various types of packaging machines that are available today and also lists out major global suppliers of packaging solutions for horticulture industry.

This small book explains in detail about various domesticated and wild species of Chile pepper plants. Though there are about 30 species of Chile pepper plants have been recognized so far, only FIVE species such as Capsicum annum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum pubescens have been commercially exploited till date. This book gives some basic insights into various Chile pepper plants, their specific features, and their growing practices.

Some flowers are eaten as vegetables in many parts of the world. Most popular among them are pumpkin flowers, Sesbania flowers, calabash gourd flowers and broccoli flower clusters. Nutritional information and food significance of these 4 popular flowers are briefed in this small book for informational purposes only.

This small book explains in detail growing practices, health benefits, food preparations, and nutrient information of four popular vegetables namely, artichokes, crosnes, broccoli and chives. Artichokes and crosnes are perennial vegetables and are used in rare and exotic food preparations. Crosnes are also known as 'Chinese artichokes' and these are one of the most delicious root vegetables available today. Broccoli and chives are considered as one of the most nutrient-dense, plant-based food groups.

Minerals are essential elements that are required by a human body in minute quantities to perform its metabolic functions as well as for healthy growth and development. Minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine etc help in body fluid movement and tissue building. When a human body does not have sufficient amount of minerals, its deficiency is manifested in human body as diseases. This small booklet is intended to provide some insights into mineral-rich vegetables.

The word “nightshade” is often used in herbal medicines to refer a poisonous species of plant, but a highly regarded medicinal plant, belonging to the plant family Solanaceae. This plant is often called ‘deadly nightshade’ because of its toxic properties. Common name of this medicinal plant is ‘belladonna.’ Nightshade family is mainly known for its toxic and poisonous member plants and many of them are medicinal plants. However, the nightshade family i.e. Solanaceae family includes some of the most popular and economically important vegetable plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, tomatillos, brinjals or eggplants, chile peppers, bell peppers and jalapeno peppers also. These vegetables are very popular among consumers and are used by the whole world on daily basis. These vegetables are often referred as ‘nightshade vegetables’ or ‘Solanaceous vegetables.’ In other words, ‘Nightshade Vegetables’ are a group of vegetables belonging to the plant family Solanaceae.

This is a small booklet that explains general GROWING PRACTICES for rhubarb plant and is meant for growers of this plant. Rhubarb is popularly known as ‘the pie-plant’ because of its significance as a major ingredient in preparing pies. Botanical name of Rhubarb is Rheum rhabarbarum. Rhubarb is a cool season crop which is grown as an herbaceous, perennial vegetable. Rhubarb belongs to the family Polygonaceae. The economically significant portion of the plant is its fleshy leafstalks and the plant is normally grown for these fleshy leaf stalks (petioles) only. Color of petioles may be red, white or green depending upon the cultivar.

This small book is about ‘Spinach Herbs’ and it deals with mainly four types of edible herbaceous plants; these are Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), Malabar Spinach (Basella spp.), New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) and Mustard Spinach(Brassica rapa perviridis). Food value and nutritive value of spinach herbs are very high. There are very few vegetable greens which equal the nutritive value of spinach herbs. Spinach herbs are highly nutritious salad greens and can also be cooked as delicious, nutritious leafy vegetables. Description of growing practices, nutrient data, health benefits, and food uses of the spinach herbs is given in detail in this small book.

Chinese Cabbages are a group of nutrient-dense Cruciferous vegetables. Some recent scientific researches conducted at the William Paterson University, New Jersey concluded that Cruciferous vegetables and dark leafy greens are the most nutrient-dense, plant-based foods available today. Among 47 nutritious foods studied, Chinese cabbages are the second-most nutrient-rich food, only after watercress. This small book of 100 pages explains in detail growing practices, health benefits, food preparations, and nutrient information of two varieties of Chinese Cabbages, i.e. bok choy/pak choi and napa cabbages.

It is very easy to get waylaid by the demands of personal and professional life. We often stray from our intended course of journey and become demoralized soon. We, eventually, end up with having a stagnant life rather than having the passion to pursue our dreams and goals. Here comes the significance of some good inspirational books.

With the advent of e-businesses and e-commercial transactions, the number of internet users who rely on internet for their buying and selling transactions has gone up considerably. E-Commerce is the buzz word in this modern technology-empowered era and there are numerous entrepreneurial opportunities awaiting creative entrepreneurs of all sorts in the field of e-commerce.

This eBook explains about the growing practices and nutritional information of almost all popular brassica vegetables (cruciferous vegetables), namely cabbage, cauliflower, chinese cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi, collard greens, and more. Brassica vegetables are also known as cole crops, crucifers, and cruciferous vegetables. They belong to the genus Brassica and family Brassicaceae, the mustard family. Recent scientific researches about 'Nutrient-Density in Plant-Based Foods' reveal that dark leafy vegetables and brassica vegetables are the most nutrient-dense, plant-based foods available to us today.This book explains in detail growing practices, nutritional information, health benefits, and popular food preparations of these brassica vegetables.

Some freshly harvested leafy vegetables may be consumed as such in its raw form just after washing them. They may also be consumed after minimal processing such as chopping and adding in salads and in other raw food preparations. Such leafy vegetables which may be consumed in its uncooked state such as salads are called leafy salad vegetables. Their leaves and leaf stalks are used for consumption and therefore they are termed as leafy greens or leafy vegetables. They may be consumed as salads and therefore these vegetables are also known as salad vegetables.

Mushroom farming has become very popular worldwide owing to the fact that mushroom farming is relatively easy and requires less space and less investment. Economic returns on investment are also high in mushroom farming. Mushroom farming is an attractive low-cost entrepreneurial option because mushrooms can successfully be grown by using even primitive farming technologies. This low technology approach to mushroom farming may be one of the reasons behind its popularity as a small scale farm enterprise.

Among all the garden crops, bulbous crops play an important role in magnifying the view of the home garden as these have other good qualities besides beautifying the place where these are grown. One of the main advantages of growing bulbous crops in a home garden is that due to perennial nature, a gardener does not have to worry about next season planting. All the bulbous plants have storage parts underground the soil which can be corms, true bulbs, pseudo-bulbs, stolons, rhizomes, tubers etc. While corms are similar to bulbs with the differentiation of hardness and no stems, the bulbils or bulblets are small bulbs, a rhizome is a modified stem that extends underground horizontally and arises from lateral stem of main stem of the plant. Stolons can be produced either underground or above the ground depending plant to plant.