Professor Ian James Warrington CNZM is a Palmerston North horticultural scientist and science administrator. He was former chief executive of HortResearch (now Plant & Food Research). He was a senior administrator at Massey University until his position was axed in a cost-saving move. He received the T. K. Sidey Medal in 1984, an award set up by the Royal Society of New Zealand for outstanding scientific research. He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the 2011 New Year Honours.

• Contributors ixDedication: Theodore DeJong xiIan Warrington1. Molecular Physiology of Fruit Growth in Apple 1Anish MalladiI. Introduction 2II. Morphology and Anatomy of the Apple Fruit 2III. Flower Growth Before Bloom 5IV. Fruit Set 7V. Fruit Growth 9VI. Conclusions 31Literature Cited 332. Mechanosensing of Plants 43Marc‐André Sparke and Jens‐Norbert WünscheI. Introduction 44II. Thigmomorphogenesis 47III. Natural and Artificial Induction of Thigmo Responses 48IV. Morphological Plant Responses 50V. Physiological Plant Responses – Cellular Signaling 57VI. Molecular Aspects 69VII. Application Strategies in Horticulture 70VIII. Conclusions 72Literature Cited 733. Microgreens: Definitions, Product Types, and Production Practices 85Sven VerlindenI. Introduction 86II. History of Immature Leafy Vegetables 92III. Seedling Development in Other Crops – Growth and Development of Seedlings 94IV. Production Strategies 96V. Nutritional Value 104VI. Microbiological Safety and Postharvest Biology and Technology 114VII. Sensory Attributes and Qualities 117VIII. Health Effects 117IX. Future of Microgreens 118Literature Cited 1194. The Durian: Botany, Horticulture, and Utilization 125Saichol Ketsa, Apinya Wisutiamonkul, Yossapol Palapol, and Robert E. PaullI. Introduction 127II. Botany 140III. Cultural Practices 149IV. Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value 173V. Postharvest Physiology 177VI. Harvesting and Postharvest Handling 184VII. Utilization 192VIII. Conclusions 195Literature Cited 1955. The genus Cupressus L.: Mythology to Biotechnology with Emphasis on Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) 213Homayoun FarahmandI. Introduction 215II. Cupressaceae (Geographical Distribution and Horticultural Importance) 215III. The Genus Cupressus 216IV. The Role of Mediterranean Cypress in Persian Gardens 249V. Medicinal Values 252VI. Breeding and Genetic Improvement 254VII. Abiotic and Biotic Challenges 256VIII. Conservation of Genetic Resources 261IX. Conventional Propagation and Micropropagation 263X. Biotechnology 265XI. Conclusions 267Literature Cited 2686. Taxonomy and Botany of the Caricaceae 289V.M. Badillo and Freddy LealI. Introduction 290II. History of the Papaya and Other Caricaceae 291III. Taxonomic History 291IV. New Proposals for the Taxonomy of Caricaceae 295V. Botany of the Family and the Genera 297VI. Concluding Comments 319Literature Cited 3207. Entomopathogens: Potential to Control Thrips in Avocado, with Special Reference to Beauveria bassiana 325Gracian T. Bara and Mark D. LaingI. Introduction 326II. Commercial Production in South Africa 328III. Requirements for Export and Local Quality 329IV. Economics of Avocado Production 329V. Pests and Diseases of Avocado 330VI. Thrips of Avocado 330VII. Management of Thrips 333VIII. Entomopathogens 336IX. Conclusions 356Literature Cited 357Subject Index 369Cumulative Subject Index 372Cumulative Contributor Index 406