CASSAVA ROOT, unprocessed.
Image: David Monniaux/Wikipedia Commons
In Brief
- Cassava roots are the main source of calories for millions of people living in the tropics, but they are poor in protein, vitamins and other nutrients.
- Scientist have created cassava varieties with improved nutritional value, higher yields, and resistance to pests and disease.
- A combination of traditional breeding, genomics and molecular biology techniques could lead to further breakthroughs.
The diet of more than 800 million people revolves around neither wheat, nor corn, nor rice. Instead in many countries the main staple consists of the starchy roots of a plant variously called cassava, tapioca, manioc or yuca (not to be confused with the succulent plant yucca). Indeed, cassava contributes more to the world’s calorie budget than any other food except rice and wheat, which makes it a virtually irreplaceable resource against hunger. Throughout the tropics, families typically cultivate it for their own consumption on small parcels of land, although in Asia and in parts of Latin America the plant is also grown commercially for use in animal feed and starch-based products. The root’s nutritional value, however, is poor: it contains little protein, vitamins or other nutrients such as iron. Better varieties of cassava could thus effectively alleviate malnutrition in much of the developing world.
Because of that promise, the two of us and our colleagues at the University of Brasilia and others are devoted to creating hardier, more productive and more nutritious varieties and making them widely available to farmers in developing countries. Our team focuses largely on applying traditional breeding techniques to form hybrids between cassava and its wild relatives, taking advantage of traits that have evolved in the wild plants over millions of years. This approach is less costly than genetic engineering and does not raise the safety concerns that make some people wary of genetically modified crops. Meanwhile researchers and nonprofit organizations in the developed world have begun to take an interest and have produced genetically modified cassava varieties for the same purposes. The recent completion of a draft genome sequencing of cassava may open the way to further improvements.
This article was originally published with the title Breeding Cassava to Feed the Poor.
Already a Digital subscriber? Sign-in Now
If your institution has site license access, enter here.
See what we're tweeting about
26 Comments
Add CommentAre the rich willing to eat this also? I don't like the idea of the rich breeding foodstuffs "for" the poor that they themselves are not willing to eat.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisjane33w : In England tapioca has been used in desserts at least as far back as World War Two, when I was born.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTapioca starch flour is one of the main ingredients in countless gluten free products found in the developed world. For those on a gluten free diet, increased nutrition will be particularly beneficial as well. Most of the existing products are not "enriched" the way that wheat based products are and are also low in protein. Seems to me that the celiac organizations would be highly interested in this research.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe claim of new cassava varieties derived from hybrids of M.glaziovii obtained from U. Brasilia being grown on 4million Ha in Africa cannot be correct. The best estimates of IITA economists and recent variety survey of cassava in Nigeria, the largest cassava producing country, ranges from 16-19% which is roughly 1 million hectares. Besides, the varieties in question, TMS30572, TMS30555, TMS 4(2)1425 use 4th backcross derivatives of M. glaziovii that was developed by British breeders in Tanzania and came via the Moor Plantation breeding program (58308) as parental lines not hyrbids from Brazil. This incuraccy ought to be corrected and it is misleading
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPlants are localized by environmental factors, so if a food already exists in a particular region and is already integrated with the local environment, why try to force the "rich people's" food (which is by-and-large cheap and environmentally degrading corn) into yet another environment that doesn't have a niche for it?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis doesn't seem to be a case of the rich condescending to the poor and thereby alienating them, but of those who can afford it actually doing something for another part of the world without foisting their preconceptions upon it. Rather than giving rural farmers things they don't need like tractors when they don't have access to fuel, this group is responding to the actual situation and circumstances.
The fact of that resistant to mosaic varieties planted now in Nigeria came from Brazilian Material provided by University of Brasilia Program is being dully acknowledged by IITA Breeder in the decade 1980; S.K.Hahn and confirmed by concerned IITA authority in that time, Rodomiro Ortiz. see this Doc.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.geneconserve.pro.br/iita2.gif
It is possible that old material of Tanzania in decade 1920s was used too in addition to Brazilian material. Let�s remember that resistance to any pathogen is weekened by time due to mutations of pathogen. Breeder must use new hybridization, injecting new blood to overcome this problem.
After leaving of Hahn in 1995, no any hybrridization been made neither any selections been realized by breeder who substituted him. So cassava Resistance deteriorated, and productivity dropped, it reached 9 ton/h in 2007 compared to 12 t/h in 1995.
IITA had to contract a new breeder to correct this situation
The fact of that resistant to mosaic varieties planted now in Nigeria came from Brazilian Material provided by University of Brasilia Program is being dully acknowledged by IITA Breeder in the decade 1980; S.K.Hahn and confirmed by concerned IITA authority in that time, Rodomiro Ortiz. see this Doc.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.geneconserve.pro.br/iita2.gif
It is possible that old material of Tanzania in decade 1920s was used too in addition to Brazilian material. Let´s remember that resistance to any pathogen is weekened by time due to mutations of pathogen. Breeder must use new hybridization, injecting new blood to overcome this problem.
After leaving of Hahn in 1995, no any hybrridization been made neither any selections been realized by breeder who substituted him. So cassava Resistance deteriorated, and productivity dropped, it reached 9 ton/h in 2007 compared to 12 t/h in 1995.
IITA had to contract a new breeder to correct this situation
The fact of that resistant to mosaic varieties planted now in Nigeria came from Brazilian Material provided by University of Brasilia Program is being dully acknowledged by IITA Breeder in the decade 1980; S.K.Hahn and confirmed by concerned IITA authority in that time, Rodomiro Ortiz. see this Doc.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.geneconserve.pro.br/iita2.gif
It is possible that old material of Tanzania in decade 1920s was used too in addition to Brazilian material. Let´s remember that resistance to any pathogen is weekened by time due to mutations of pathogen. Breeder must use new hybridization, injecting new blood to overcome this problem.
After leaving of Hahn in 1995, no any hybrridization been made neither any selections been realized by breeder who ubstituted him. So cassava Resistance deteriorated, and productivity dropped, it reached 9 ton/h in 2007 compared to 12 t/h in 1995.
IITA had to contract a new breeder to correct this situation
Dr. Sang Ki Hahn, IITA cassava breeder until the early 1990s, acknowledged the contribution of materials from the Univ. of brasilia in its breeding program as seen in this doc, http://www.geneconserve.pro.br/iita2.gif Of course, other materials were used, e.g. old material bred in Tanzania during the 1920s. As we know resistance always reduced on the years due pathogen mutation , Injecti ing genes from wild origin is necessary from time to time
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDr. Sang Ki Hahn, IITA cassava breeder until the early 1990s, acknowledged the contribution of materials from the Univ. of Brasilia in its breeding program http://www.geneconserve.pro.br/iita2.gif Of course, additionally he used other materials, e.g. old material bred in Tanzania during the 1920s.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is Nagib Nassar, Professor with the University of Brasilia. I wish to comment on what commented by pogeddegbe (I assume this name is ... fantom-false name). One of my students ,I assume, has commented the above repeated 3 comments. Good what he did , but I wish respectfully not refer to what been done after Hahn left in 1994. My comment is short is as follows:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDr. Sang Ki Hahn, IITA cassava breeder until the early 1990s, acknowledged the contribution of materials from the Univ. of Brasilia in its breeding program (http://www.geneconserve.pro.br/iita2.gif). Of course, additionally he used other materials, e.g. old material bred in Tanzania iduring the 1920s.
referring to comment of FANTOM person called pogedegbe) I wish to cite these references.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this.. Hahn then set about developing mosaic-resistant, high yielding varieties by crossing mosaic resistant varieties with many other high-yielding varieties from West Africa and Brazil, ..." THIS IS FROM ARTICLE of:
Nweke, F.I., D.S.C. Spencer and J.K. Lynam. 2001. The Cassava Transformation. Africa´s Best-Kept Secret. Michigan State University Press. East Lansing. p. 74
A SECOND REFERENCE
"... By the late 1980s, the TMS varieties were grown in 60 percent pf the villages in the cassava-growing areas of Nigeria ..."
Nweke et al. op. cited.
"The use of improved varieties resulted in a yield increase of 49% over the average yield, and an additional production of 10 million tonnes of fresh storage roots per year, or 2200 kcal per person per day for 14 million people."
IN ARTICLE BY:
Manyong, V., A.G.O. Dixon, K.O. Makinde, M. Bokanga, and J. Whyte. 2000. The Contribution of IITA-Improved Cassava to Food Security in sub-Saharan Africa: An Impact Study. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. p.
Hope these references shows that (Mr FANTOM - pogedegbe) comment are not correct
" ... Hahn then set about developing mosaic-resistant, high yielding varieties by crossing mosaic resistant varieties with many other high-yielding varieties from West Africa and Brazil, ..."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNweke, F.I., D.S.C. Spencer and J.K. Lynam. 2001. The Cassava Transformation. Africa´s Best-Kept Secret. Michigan State University Press. East Lansing. p. 74
"... it appears that in Africa over 18% of total area was estimated to have been planted to IARC-related varieties in 1998 ..."
Evenson, D.E. and D. Gollin (eds.) 2003. Crop Variety Improvement and its Effect on Productivity. The Impact of International Agricultural Research. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon, UK. p. 351
"... By the late 1980s, the TMS varieties were grown in 60 percent pf the villages in the cassava-growing areas of Nigeria ..."
Nweke et al. op. cited.
"In 1998, improved cassava varieties were grown
on about 22% of the 9 million hectares that were planted to cassava in the 20 countries. The use of improved varieties resulted in a yield increase of 49% over the average yield, and an additional production of 10 million tonnes of fresh storage roots per year, or 2200 kcal per person per day for 14 million people."
Manyong, V., A.G.O. Dixon, K.O. Makinde, M. Bokanga, and J. Whyte. 2000. The Contribution of IITA-Improved Cassava to Food Security in sub-Saharan Africa: An Impact Study. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. p. 3
Dr. Sang Ki Hahn, IITA used cassava breeder until the early 1990s, acknowledged the contribution of materials from the Univ. of Brasilia in its breeding program. Of course, additionally he used other materials, e.g. old material bred in Tanzania iduring the 1920s.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe fact of that resistant to mosaic varieties planted now in Nigeria came from Brazilian Material provided by University of Brasilia Program is being dully acknowledged by IITA Breeder in the decade 1980; S.K.Hahn and confirmed by concerned IITA authority in that time, Rodomiro Ortiz. see this Doc.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.geneconserve.pro.br/iita2.gif
It is possible that old material of Tanzania in decade 1920s was used too in addition to Brazilian material. Let�s remember that resistance to any pathogen is weekened by time due to mutations of pathogen. Breeder must use new hybridization, injecting new blood to overcome this problem.
There are many refereces published in the subject in addition to the formal document of Ex-Director of IITA , Dr Rodomiro Ortiz
Example of these references are as follows
" ... Hahn then set about developing mosaic-resistant, high yielding varieties by crossing mosaic resistant varieties with many other high-yielding varieties from West Africa and Brazil, ..."
Nweke, F.I., D.S.C. Spencer and J.K. Lynam. 2001. The Cassava Transformation. Africa�s Best-Kept Secret. Michigan State University Press. East Lansing. p. 74
"... By the late 1980s, the TMS varieties were grown in 60 percent pf the villages in the cassava-growing areas of Nigeria ..."
Nweke et al. op. cited.
"The use of improved varieties resulted in a yield increase of 49% over the average yield, and an additional production of 10 million tonnes of fresh storage roots per year, or 2200 kcal per person per day for 14 million people."
Manyong, V., A.G.O. Dixon, K.O. Makinde, M. Bokanga, and J. Whyte. 2000. The Contribution of IITA-Improved Cassava to Food Security in sub-Saharan Africa: An Impact Study. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. p. ,
Will this NEW variety be as effective as the old variety in preventing sickle-cell disease ? Will there be a RISE in sickle-cell IF this new variety is allowed to be grown ?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Research suggests that cassava, a dietary staple for 300 to 500 million people in the world , may be of particular value in preventing sickle-cell disease because it contains a very small amount of cyanide"
Cassava, tapioca, mandioc or yuca is a root standing in very high esteem in tropical areas of the globe. No difference amongst "rich" or "poor" to eat yuca root. As far as I can tell, in northern South America is a staple and also a faithful "sidekick" on barbecues. Right on for the yuca root.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTapioca has wonderful qualities in cooking. I use tapioca flour to thicken pies and other foods. Tapioca pudding and deserts are very good for you. I make different tapioca puddings once a month. More often during the winter. Many of the TV cooks use it too instead of cornstarch because it tastes better. You might try cooking with it...that is if you cook.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswhat about tropical calcific pancreatitis?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt is necessary to try and develop easy to grow nutritional feeds, but it will not solve the problem with hunger until the rate of births is brought down to a level that will not exceed the rate of food production. In order for the rate of births to be controlled you need an educated population, and I do not see this happening in the next century.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJoseph Kamau (Cassava breeder in Kenyan)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOne thing that is correct is that the breeding that was done at Amani in Tanzania utilised germplasm of both cultivated and wild relatives from from Brazil and other countries in Latin America. As a cassava breeder we continue to use the variability that was created by the early cassava breeders in Tanzania and at IITA. The quetion I have for Nassar is how can the can the Agrican breeders in the National programmes access this important genetic variability he is creating in Brazil.
This article is at most a nonscientif report and as such readers who are not familiar with research on the crop cassava must be careful and should take it as a grain of salt. The article is misleading and is an inaccurate account on the history of advancement in cassava research since the early part of the 20th century until to date. Firstly,the original hybrids using the wild Manihot was done in eastern Africa by the colonial British researchers who had succeeded in the transfer the trait of the resistance to cassava mosaic disease to cultivated cassava. Secondly, the claims made by the researchers in Brazil are unfortunately a cheap publicity and lack scientif facts. The so-called materials developed by the University of Brasilia that were supposedly used by IITA in Nigeria is foundless. The international research centers of the CGIAR at both Colombia (i.e. CIAT) and at Nigeria (IITA) are the leading research organizations on cassava worldwide. These two centers were heavily engaged in developing a series of improved cassava lines using the diverse cultivated cassava germplasm that was assembled and collected over long years from various countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. For example, at CIAT, Colombia, there is a germplasm bank having more than 6000 cassava varieties, landraces and genetically improved materials that demonstrated its wide adaptability to many biotic and abiotic stresses, including tolerance to cassava mosaic diseaese, poor soils and drought. Furthermore, new lines were selected with improved carotine contents in storage roots, thus providing basis for improved staple food for vitamin A. Scientific wisdome states that if there are enough natural genetic diversity in cultivated cultivars and land races, it should be tapped first before resorting to the use of wild species, as claimed here by the Brazilian workers. The senior author of this articel is known for his many claims about discoveries in wild cassava that proved foundless!.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am personally puzzled by the false claims made by Nagib Nassar who adamantly claims achievements that never materialized in the real world of cassava research and development. All what he did is collecting few wild Manihot species which added little to the adavancement in cassava research. He apparently is hungry for fame without good reasons.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am personally puzzled by the false claims made by Nagib Nassar who adamantly claims achievements that never materialized in the real world of cassava research and development. All what he did is collecting few wild Manihot species which added little to the adavancement in cassava research. He apparently is hungry for fame without good reasons.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFalse article that Scientific American should havent allowed publishing!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSometimes it's not about the quality of the food. If nearly half a billion people can go to bed at night with something in their stomachs, no matter how bland it might be, is that not an accomplishment? Until a 'wonder-food' can be mass produced as cheaply and effectively as cassava, it will just have to do.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this