Raymond A T George has spent a lifetime in agronomy specialising in seed production. Following four years at Cambridge University Botanic Garden he moved to the NVRS, Wellesbourne as an Experimental Officer in the Plant Breeding Section for seven years. He then worked as an Advisory Officer for four years prior a lecturing and research appointment in crop production at the University of Bath where he supervised a team of research postgraduates studying seed production. He was seconded to The UN FAO in 1976 and worked on seed projects in Asia. Following his return to Bath University he was appointed Senior Lecturer in Crop Production and also continued to make consultancy missions for FAO, mainly concerned with seed production in Africa, Asia, South Pacific and the Indian Sub-Continent. Following retirement from Bath he continued consultancy and editorial work for FAO's Seed Service until 2010. He continues to write on seed production and associated topics.

• Part 1: 1: Tropics and Vegetables Defined, Concept of subsistence farming, Small farmer enterprises and The importance of vegetables in the human diet. 2: Choice of Site, Site security, Topography, Soils, Water supply and Irrigation. 3: Modification of environment, Site management, Seed supply, Seed classes and types of vegetable cultivars. 4: Farmers' information, Support, Extension and Research backing. 5: Crop preparations and Crop management. 6: Pest, Pathogen and Pesticide definitions, Integrated Pest Management, Physiological disorders, Organic production, Post-harvest losses and Market opportunities. Part 2: 7: Alliaceae Onions and related crops 8: Cruciferae. Crucifers 9: Cucurbitaceae Cucurbits, The vine crops 10: Solanaceae Tomato and related crops 11: Leguminosae Beans and related crops as vegetables and pulses 12: Leafy Vegetables 13: Graminae and Cyperaceae 14: Andean Tubers and Roots, Lamiacae and Apiaceae 15: Graminae and Cyperaceae Appendix 1: Indigenous species Appendix 2: International research institutes General Index: Index of Species