Pomegranate, The : Botany, Production and Uses (eBook)

Ali Sarkhosh (Edited By) Ali Sarkhosh is currently serving as Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist (fruit crops) in the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida. Dr. Sarkhosh was born and raised in a farming family, who grow pomegranate and saffron for four generations in Iran. He did his Master thesis and Ph.D. dissertation in pomegranate genetic diversity and breeding under supervision of Professor Zamani (one of the editors in this book) at the University of Tehran in Iran. Dr. Sarkhosh worked as pomegranate expert in Australia for four years where he was responsible for all management aspects of 600 acres of pomegranate production. Toward improving pomegranate production, he published many sources of both technical and referred articles in pomegranate breeding and genetic diversity, postharvest, and production. Dr Sarkhosh has over 10 years of experience with commercial fruit production in U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Iran. His research with tree fruits has focused on breeding, rootstocks and cultivars evaluations, and assessment of cultural practices to optimize yield and production efficiency.Alimohammad Yavari (Edited By) Alimohammad Yavari is currently serving as a private pomologist and consultant. Mr. Yavari received his M.S. in horticulture (Pomology) from the University of Urmia, Iran. He worked as research assistant at one of the biggest pomegranate collections and germplasms in the world located in Yazd (a city in central Iran). Mr. Yavari has excellent expertise in all aspects of pomegranate production as well as interacting worldwide with commercial growers and researchers in the field of fruit production, mainly tropical and subtropical fruits. His experiences in pomegranate production are mostly related to harvesting and exporting issues, and training courses for orchardists. He provides public and private sectors with designing projects and writing proposals related to pomegranate production and other tropical and subtropical fruits.Zabihollah Zamani (Edited By) Zabihollah Zamani is currently serving as full Professor in the Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Tehran, Iran. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in horticulture science and pomology from the University of Tehran, Iran and his Ph.D. in Fruit breeding and biotechnology from University of Sydney, Australia. With over 25 years experience, Dr. Zamani has contributed significant advances in all aspects of pomegranate production including, breeding, biotechnology, physiology, cultural practices, and postharvest. He played an important role in the development of his department in the area of fruit science and biotechnology. Toward improving pomegranate research and development, he published many refereed journal articles, technical reports and extension publications. Dr. Zamani supervised many M.S. and Ph.D. students who did their thesis on fruit crops, specifically on pomegranate. These achievements have been recognized with Dr. Zamani, being invited to serve high-profile advisory boards for developing or leading applied research projects in fruit crops including pomegranate.

This book provides a valuable support not only for farmers and for people involved in the pomegranate industry but it can be recommended without any reservation to plant breeders, plant physiologists, food technologists and chemists to obtain comprehensive information on the current state of knowledge of this important fruit species.

Pomegranate should be the standard textbook for horticultural research institutes, libraries, government agriculture
departments, and plant nurseries. It provides a dense consolidation of relevant topics that can provide the field with valuable guidance as a manual for growers. It is well-illustrated, showing stages of flower and fruit development, plant habit, various approaches to pruning. [This] well-bound volume should enjoy long use as a reference work.