Vegetables are essential components of a balanced diet and offer significant economic benefits to farmers. Enhancing crop productivity through crop improvement is a highly effective approach. The production and consumption of vegetables have witnessed considerable growth. Improved varieties have made a significant contribution to the increase in yield and quality of vegetable crops.

The diversity of vegetable species is remarkable and has played a vital role in boosting production and consumption worldwide. For crop improvement, understanding the origin, distribution, and evolution of the crop and its related species is crucial. Genetic information is a prerequisite for selecting appropriate breeding strategies to achieve specific objectives. The objectives of breeding vary depending on the region and the intended use of the product, such as fresh market, processing, or dual-purpose crops, as well as the cultivation method, such as protection, open field, or kitchen garden. Based on the objectives and genetic resources, various breeding methods and procedures can be adopted, leading to the development of useful varieties or hybrids.

This book provides an abridged overview of breeding in vegetable crops. It covers a wide range of crops by appending and updating information on genetics, genetic resources, breeding methods and procedures, and varieties/hybrids developed in each of the 26 vegetable crops wherever available. The presentation of information on each crop follows a logical sequence, beginning with the origin and evolution, genetic resources, genetics of fruits, breeding methods, and varieties/hybrids developed.

Professor Ravindra Mulge has more than 30 years of experience of teaching and research in vegetable breeding. He supervised more than dozen Ph. D. and more than 50 M.  Sc. theses and published more than 100 research articles in national and international journals. He is member of half a dozen learned bodies in ‘India including Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding’, ‘Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences’ and ‘Indian Society of Vegetable Science’. He is serving as Dean from the year 2016 at the College of Horticulture, Bidar which is the constituent college of the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot in Karnataka. Dr Ravindra Mulge obtained M. Sc. (Horticulture) in Olericulture and Ph. D. in Horticulture from University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore and for his Ph. D. he worked at ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Science, Bangalore. He joined ARS as Scientist in Indian Council of Agricultural Sciences during the year 1993 and received ‘Hari Om Ashram Trust Award’ for Agricultural Research for the biennium 1995-96 from ICAR.

Dr Ravindra Mulge joined the services at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad as Assistant Professor of Vegetable Sciences at K.R.C. College of Horticulture, Arabhavi during the year 1997. He involved in UG and PG teaching in Vegetable breeding and carried out research work in vegetable crops and developed and released capsicum variety “Apoorva” as Principal Investigator and drumstick variety “Bhagya” and Cardamom variety “Avinash” (Rhizome rot resistant) as Co-Principal Investigator. He served as Professor and Head, Department of Vegetable Science at K.R.C. College of Horticulture, Arabhavi from 2010 to 2016. He guided 30 M. Sc. and three Ph. D. students in vegetable science as major advisor and published 129 research articles, 22 research notes, 56 abstracts, 27 popular articles and three chapters in edited books.

1. Tomato, 2. Brinjal, 3.Pepper,  4. Potato, 5. Okra (Ladies Finger), 6.  Cucurbits-Cucumber , 7.  Musk Melon,  8.  Water Melon,  9.  Ridge Gourd and Sponge Gourd, 10.Bitter Gourd, 11.Bottle Gourd,  12.Squashes and Pumpkins, 13.Legumes-Garden Pea,14.French Bean, 15.Cowpea , 16.Dolichos Bean, 17.Alliums (Bulb Crops), 18. Cole Crops- Cabbage, 19.Cauliflower and Other Cole Crops, 20.Amaranthus,, 21.Carrot, 22.Radish ,23.Beet Root, 24.Turnip, 25.Sweet Potato, 26.Cassava