African Cassava: Biotechnology and Molecular Breeding to the Rescue
Journal Title: Biotechnology Journal International - Year 2013, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Cassava is an important African food crop, where it is a staple to about 250 Million people. It is a household name in Nigeria, the world largest producer of the root crop. It is propagated from stem cuttings and well known for its adaptation to wide range of adapho-climatic conditions and including those unfavourable for other crops. However cassava production, exploitation, utilization and acceptance are limited by diseases and pests, cyanogenesis, low protein content and quality, and post-harvest physiological deterioration. The breeding research activities of IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) Ibadan, Nigeria, CIAT (International Centre of Tropical Agriculture) located in Cali, Colombia and National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Nigeria have transformed cassava to double as a food security crop as well as a cash and industrial crop. Of recent, Bio Cassava Plus, an initiative sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates, has been using experimental biotechnology approaches to address several of the main constraints to African cassava. This review presents the many advantages of cassava to the small-scale farmer and its potentials for industrial applications. It also describes the roles of biotic and abiotic factors hampering the production yield, root quality, nutritional adequacy, marketability and acceptance, and commercial processes. The use of conventional breeding and biotechnology in unravelling the milieu of these constraints is discussed as well.
Authors and Affiliations
Michael A. Gbadegesin, Charles O. Olaiya, John R. Beeching
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP237097
- DOI 10.9734/BBJ/2013/3449
- Views 187
- Downloads 0
Investigation the Consumption of Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Anoxybacillus rupeinsis Ir3 (JQ912241) using FTIR and HPLC Analyses
Aims: To confirm the ability of Anoxybacillus rupiensis strain Ir3 (JQ912241) to utilize the aromatic compounds using FTIR and HPLC analyses. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of...
Purification and Characterization of α-Glucan Phosphorylase Isoform Pho 2 from Spinach Leaves
α-Glucan phosphorylase is an important enzyme of carbohydrate metabolism. In spinach leaves, it has been reported in two multiple forms viz. Pho 2 (cytosolic) and Pho 1 (plastidial). Here, we extracted and purified Pho 2...
Potential of Azadirachtin and Neem (Azadirachta indica) Based Saponins as Biopesticides for In vitro Insect Pests Cellulase (Beta-1,4-Endoglucanase) Enzyme Inhibition and In vivo Repellency on Tribolium castaneum
Aims: The work was undertaken to identify the role of Neem derived compounds (saponins and azadirachtin) on the digestive cellulose hydrolyzing enzyme activity of red flour beetle (T. castaneum), rice grasshopper (Oxya...
Genetic and Phenotypic Identification of Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Retail Poultry Carcasses in Omu-Aran, North-Central Nigeria
Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known agent of zoonotic infections. Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (LA-MRSA) had been receiving public health attention for over a decade. Recently, the genomes of so...
Haematological Response and Serum Biochemical Profile of Broiler Finishers Fed with Oxytetracycline and Stonebreaker (Phyllanthus amarus) Leaf Meal
Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Phyllanthus amarus leaf meal on haematology and serum biochemical profile of broiler finishers vis a vis oxytetracycline, in order to serve a basis for further study...