The underutilized and under-exploited horticultural crops play a crucial role in the development of health food green parks, neutraceutical industry, home decorations, renewable sources of green energy, and food reserves during calamities. These crops are rich in essential nutrients like fiber, minerals, and beta-carotene. The crops like agathi, chekkurmanis, waterleaf, drumstick leaf, basella, and colacasia leaf are classified as leaf vegetables, while cucurbits such as ash gourd, pointed gourd, ivy gourd, kekrol, snap melons, and chow-chow are rich in iron and amino acids. Fruits like karonda, aonla, and cherries are highly nutritious and suitable for growing in less moisture soils. Noni is a fruit that is highly beneficial for health and can be used to combat diabetes, obesity, and sleeplessness. Long pepper, mint, celery, fenugreek, and garcenia are some of the spices that possess medicinal properties. There are numerous underexploited medicinal plants like tulsi and peppermint that have considerable economic value. The underutilized crops in Tripura, Orissa, and Kerala are also worth mentioning. It is essential to broaden our food basket and include lesser-known crops to ensure a healthy and balanced diet. The shift from healthcare to wellness industry has led to an increased focus on prevention rather than cure. The present volume provides a comprehensive overview of the underutilized and under-exploited horticultural crops, with contributions from working scientists in each specific crop area.
