India is the world's second-largest producer of fruit crops, but due to low
land holdings, rain-fed farming, inappropriate use of natural resources, and excessive
reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, India continues to lag behind in terms of
fruit yield and quality for export. These chemicals also pollute the environment, and
because of residue buildup, fruits grown with pesticides are not recommended for
export. Fruit crops are most popular among horticultural crops due to being an
important source of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Among horticultural crops,
fruit crops occupy an area of nearly 67.5 million hectares worldwide. Key constraints
faced in conventional fruit cultivation, such as pest attacks, climate variability, soil
degradation, etc., decrease the yield of fruit crops. To produce high-quality fruits, one
must opt for protected cultivation in order to overcome the difficulties posed by the
climate. Additionally, it offers an excellent benefit-to-cost ratio along with yield and
quality improvement. A more scientific approach is necessary to achieve improved
quality, which is challenging to accomplish using the conventional methods of
agriculture. Hence, the current book chapter addresses different protected structures,
such as greenhouses, net houses, polytunnels, etc., for fruit cultivation. Appropriate
soil, water, and nutrient management with adequate plant protection in protected
structures increases the yield and quality of fruit crops. The chapter will also explore
the role of different modern technologies used in controlled cultivation, such as
hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, AI, and robotics, highlighting the importance and
constraints of protected cultivation for fruit crops.
Keywords: Deciduous plants, Evergreen plants, Fruit crops, Modern technology, Protected structures, Sustainability, Yield enhancement.
