V. Krishnakumar’s scientific contributions

Plantation crops are high-value commercial crops which play a vital role in the agricultural economy and export trade of many developing and developed countries. With the World Trade Organization giving greater emphasis on agriculture, the commercial aspects of growing these crops assume considerable economic significance. Arecanut (betel nut), cardamom, cashew, cocoa, coconut, coffee, oil palm, rubber, and tea are the major crops grown on a plantation scale. Most of these plantation crops are cultivated as monocultures, exceptions being coconut, arecanut, cocoa, and coffee, which are grown either as a mono crop or as a multiple crop. While tea, cardamom, and coffee prefer subtropical conditions, often under shaded conditions, the other crops are mostly confined to the tropical region. This article gives brief information on growth and development, production systems and agronomy, propagation of various plantation crops, as well as impact of climate change on the crops.