Cassava produces about 10 times more carbohydrates than most cereals per unit area, and are ideal for production in marginal and drought prone areas. Cassava, which originated from tropical South America, is a perennial woody shrub with an edible root, which today is grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where it provides energy food and serves as a veritable source of food and income for over a billion people. This handbook provides new research on the production, consumption and potential uses of cassava.

Cassava is a major tropical tuber crop found throughout the tropics (India, Oceania, Africa and Latin America). Hitherto, there has been no single text covering all aspects of cassava biology, production and utilization. This book fills that gap, representing the first comprehensive research level overview of this main staple crop. Chapters are written by leading experts in this field from all continents. The book is suitable for those working and researching in cassava, in both developed and developing countries, as well as advanced students.

Intended as both an instructional and a reference tool, the volume covers the production and postharvest treatment of cassava. The first part describes production constraints including pests , diseases, weeds, soils agronomic factors, and socioeconomic considerations. In part two, plant morphology, plant physiology and plant breeding are related to yields and diseases resistance. Part three covers postharvest treatment and part four describes cassava research. A bibliography of recommended reading is included.

Eaten by both humans and animals, and with more than 20 derivative products, cassava offers considerable opportunities for income and advantages for food security. This versatile shrub is widely used in the food, textiles and other industries. For example, cassava tubers may be sold for preparation into pastries, tapioca, food pasta or chips, while the plant’s by-products include paper, glues and alcohol. Attractively laid out, with step-by-step guides and a wealth of colourful figures, illustrations and tables, this handbook makes simple techniques available to cassava producers, improving production, storage and processing.

This specialist handbook is intended as a quick and easy reference guide for individuals and organisations that are involved with the production of food, from both agriculture and horticulture. It is designed to be used as a reference book that answers basic questions about how food is produced from plants, and aims to demystify the subject of growing food as far as possible. The focus is firmly on the technical aspects of food crops; animal husbandry, agrochemicals and genetic engineering are only briefly mentioned. The manual with its strong international flavour is designed to be also used by those who normally speak or read English as their second language, using simple English terminology and phrasing, with explanations and cross references of the terminology, acronyms and terms used. The book is divided into three sections: 1. Principles and Practices used in Agriculture and Horticulture; 2. Description and Characteristics of the Main Food Crops; 3. Naming and Classification of Plants, Seed Purchase Procedures, Conversion Tables and Statistics, Planning and Assessing Agricultural Projects.