title: Rooting for cassava: insights into photosynthesis and associated physiology as a route to improve yield potential.
abstract: Contents 50 I. 50 II. 52 III. 54 IV. 55 V. 57 VI. 57 VII. 59 60 References 61 SUMMARY: As a consequence of an increase in world population, food demand is expected to grow by up to 110% in the next 30-35 yr. The population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by > 120%. In this region, cassava (Manihot esculenta) is the second most important source of calories and contributes c. 30% of the daily calorie requirements per person. Despite its importance, the average yield of cassava in Africa has not increased significantly since 1961. An evaluation of modern cultivars of cassava showed that the interception efficiency (ɛi) of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and the efficiency of conversion of that intercepted PAR (ɛc) are major opportunities for genetic improvement of the yield potential. This review examines what is known of the physiological processes underlying productivity in cassava and seeks to provide some strategies and directions toward yield improvement through genetic alterations to physiology to increase ɛiand ɛc. Possible physiological limitations, as well as environmental constraints, are discussed.
authors: Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
authors: Amanda P
authors: AP
authors: De Souza
authors: Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
authors: Lynnicia N
authors: LN
authors: Massenburg
authors: Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
authors: Deepak
authors: D
authors: Jaiswal
authors: Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
authors: Siyuan
authors: S
authors: Cheng
authors: Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Shekar
authors: Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.|Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK.
authors: Stephen P
authors: SP
authors: Long
mesh_terms: D004777:Environment; D002365:Manihot / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological
keywords: 
  Manihot esculenta
  ; climate change; food security; genetic engineering; photosynthesis; plant breeding; sub-Saharan Africa; yield improvement