Abstract
<jats:p>This volume highlights advancements in horticultural science focusing on fruit, vegetable, ornamental, and plantation crop production. It emphasizes improved cultivation methods, protected cultivation, grafting and propagation techniques, precision nutrient and irrigation management, post-harvest preservation, and value-chain quality enhancement. Research involving controlled-environment horticulture, hydroponics, vertical farming, horticultural biotechnology,stress-tolerant cultivars, and climate-responsive orchard design is encouraged. Studies addressing market-driven varietal improvement, shelf-life extension, export handling, and smallholder horticulture livelihood models add practical significance. The objective is to promote productivity, profitability, and sustainability in horticultural systems.</jats:p>