The use of biotechnology for the improvement of bananas and plantains will, no doubt, contribute to the modernization of their production on a sustainable basis, provided that efforts are directed towards the reduction of environmental hazards and production costs and to the development of new production systems for small farmers. We sincerely hope that the creativity needed, enhanced through worldwide collaboration in the field of biotechnology, will emerge as a very important outcome of this workshop. But we must also bear in mind that a multi-dimensional research approach must include interaction with other disciplines in the biological, economic, and social sciences as well as with those related to policy, services, and marketing environments. We trust that those interested in banana and plantain will find the information in this book useful and stimulating. This book is intended for students, teachers, and banana breeders. We hope that academics throughout the world interested in developing tropical crops will also find useful this book.

Dr. (Ms) Alka Kushwaha, is presently working Sr. Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, D.A.V College, Kanpur, U.P. She has worked as Assistant Professor in D.G. College, Kanpur during 2005-2009. She acquired Doctorate in Plant Pathology from C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur (U.P.). She is Councillor of The Society of Plant Protection Sciences, New Delhi, Executive Member of Kanpur University Teacher Association and is Life Member of 6 different Scientific Societies. She has been awarded with Saraswat Samman (2018) by Indian Thinker Society and has received Certificate of Honour (2018) from Pyramid Spiritual Society Movement India. She was also awarded with Best Poster Presentation Award (2018) by ICAR-NCIPM, New Delhi. She has been Organizing Committee Member of two National Conferences, has availed 2 fellowships and has published 4 books, 25 research papers, 25 abstracts in various National and International Symposia. Dr. Harshita is presently working as Project Associate in DBT All India Network Project on Linseed at Dept. of Plant Pathology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, U.P., India. She acquired Master in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) from Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, U.P. in 2017 and acquired Doctorate in Plant Pathology from the same university in 2021. She has qualified ICAR-ASRB NET examination in Discipline of Plant Pathology in 2017. Dr. Harshita has been awarded with M.J. Narasimhan Award Mid-Eastern Zone (2019) by Indian Phytopathological Society, I.A.R.I., New Delhi and Best Research Thesis Award (2019) by the Society of Biological Sciences & Rural Development, Prayagraj, U.P. for her M.Sc. Research work. She was also awarded with Best Oral Presentation Award in 2020 and 2021 by Dept. of Plant Pathology and Entomology, Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat and Dept. of Environmental Sci-ence, Amity University, Gwalior, M.P., respectively for her Ph.D. Research work. She has published 10 Research papers in National & International Journals, 5 Review papers, 5 Book Chapters, one Popular article and 16 abstracts. She is life time member of Society of Plant Protection Sciences, IARI, New Delhi and Society of Biological Sciences & Rural Development, Prayagraj as well as Member of the Editorial Board of Annals of Plant Protection Sciences, IARI, New Delhi.