The Crop Production Science in Horticulture series examines economically important horticultural crops selected from the major production systems in temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic areas. Systems represented range from open field and plantation sites to protected plastic and glass houses, growing rooms and laboratories. Emphasis is placed on the scientific principles underlying crop production practices rather than on providing empirical recipes for uncritical acceptance. Each volume follows a common format covering all aspects of production, from background physiology and breeding, to propagation and planting, through husbandry and crop protection, to harvesting, handling and storage. This volume (2nd edition) focuses on bananas and plantains (Musa), discussing topics on their distribution and importance (chapter 1); taxonomic classification, cultivars and breeding (chapter 2); morphological characteristics and plant development (chapter 3); climatic requirements and problems due to climate (chapter 4); phenological and physiological responses (chapter 5); site selection, soil requirements and soil Preparation (chapter 6); establishing plantation (chapter 7); systems of cultivating bananas and product certifications (chapter 8); nutritional requirements (chapter 9); water requirements and irrigation (chapter 10); horticultural management (chapter 11); diseases (chapter 12); pests (chapter 13); harvesting and fruit handling (chapter 14); and ripening, biochemistry and uses (chapter 15).