Temperate fruits include stone/drupe fruits (such as peach), pome fruits (such as apple) and berries (such as strawberries). Like other crops, cultivation of these fruits faces a number of challenges. These include the need to optimize yields, sensory and nutritional quality; the dynamic threats from biotic and abiotic stresses in a changing climate; and the need for more efficient use of resources to minimise environmental impact. The two volumes of Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries summarise the wealth of research addressing these challenges.

Volume 1 focusses on key advances across the value chain, from breeding improved varieties to better techniques for cultivation and crop protection. Part 1 discusses current research on physiology, genetics and breeding. Part 2 reviews advances in cultivation from orchard design to optimising water and nutrient management and harvesting operations.

With its distinguished editor and international range of expert authors, this collection will be a standard reference for horticultural scientists, government and other research centres and companies involved in cultivation of the range of temperate fruits.

Part 1 Physiology and genetics
1.Advances in understanding fruit tree root–rhizosphere relationships for enhanced plant health: Mark Mazzola and Shashika S. Hewavitharana, USDA-ARS, USA;
2.Advances in the development and utilization of rootstocks: a case study for apple Gennaro Fazio, USDA-ARS Plant Genetics Resources Unit, USA; and Terence Robinson, Cornell University, USA;
3.Advances in understanding fruit tree growth: Ted DeJong, University of California-Davis, USA;
4.Advances in understanding reproductive development in fruit-bearing plants: Tomoya Esumi, Shimane University, Japan; and Ryutaro Tao, Kyoto University, Japan;
5.Advances in fruit genetics: Ksenija Gasic and Christopher Saski, Clemson University, USA;

Part 2 Optimizing sustainable cultivation and quality
6.Optimizing production of quality nursery plants for fruit tree cultivation: Stefano Musacchi, Washington State University and Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, USA; and Davide Neri, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy;
7.Optimizing precision in orchard irrigation and nutrient management: Denise Neilsen and Gerry Neilsen, Summerland Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada;
8.Optimizing plant growth, yield and fruit quality with plant bioregulators: Duane Greene, University of Massachusetts, USA;
9.Optimizing fruit production efficiencies through mechanization: Manoj Karkee, Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, Washington State University, USA; Jacqueline Gordón, Washington State Tree Fruit Association, USA; Bernardita Sallto, Washington State University, USA; and Matthew Whiting, Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, Washington State University, USA;
10.Optimizing pest management in fruit cultivation; Arthur Agnello, Cornell University, USA;
11.Optimizing disease management in fruit cultivation: Sara M. Villani, North Carolina State University, USA; Kerik D. Cox, Cornell University, USA; and George W. Sundin, Michigan State University, USA;
12.Pre- and post-harvest strategies to optimize fruit quality and shelf-life: Peter M. A. Toivonen, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada;
13.Bioactive/nutraceutical compounds in fruit that optimize human health benefits: Federica Blando and Miriana Durante, Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), Italy; and B. Dave Oomah, formerly Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Canada;