This book from 54 authors contains 20 chapters and provides researchers with information on the cultivation, taxonomy, socio-economic importance and breeding of 12 specific under-utilized crops or groups of crops, together with chapters dealing with more general issues, including discussions of genetic improvement and uses of under-utilized spices and herbs from India, conservation of genetic resources in Malaysia, in-vitro propagation in Australia and indigenous crops of South Africa.

The title of the book, wrongly, suggests it might be a treatise on plant breeding. However, breeding is only one area covered – much of the work covers other areas. Spices and herbs do feature largely, but many other types of crops including fruits, legumes, medicinal plants, roots and tubers, and leafy vegetables are also included. The book achieves one of its objectives in that it does make a significant contribution to a Global Initiative Project launched by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), now Biodiversity International, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) ‘aimed at enhancing the contribution of neglected and underutilized species to food security and incomes of the rural poor’.

The book is well written, illustrated and edited and is packed with valuable information for researchers, growers and consumers. All the chapters are very well supported by extensive lists of relevant references. It is a reference book which should be on the shelves of libraries and in the offices of researchers concerned with extending the narrow list of plants in cultivation in the interests of conservation of biodiversity, diversification of agriculture and the alleviation of poverty.