The importance of cassava as a crop is emphasized. It is a major carbohydrate food for five milion people and in tropical Africa is the single most important source of calories in the diet.

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.

Cassava: towards the year 2000; Cassava genetic resources in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean region; Cassava genetic resources in south America; Genetic resources for cassava in Paraguay; Status of cassava genetic resources programmes: priorities in East and Southern Africa for cassava genetic resources network; The status of cassava genetic resources programmes in some west and Central African Countries; Cassava genetic resources programmes in Asia; Genetic resources of cassava in India; Cassava genetic resources in Indonesia: status and future outlook; Cassava genetic resources programme at IITA, Ibadan; Cassava genetic management at CIAT; Manihot germplasm collecting priorities; Manihot genetic diversity; Constraints and prospects of complementaryconservation; Cassava breeders' needs for genetic diversity; Definition of a core collection for cassava; Documentation and databases for germplasm collections; The safe movement of cassava germplasm; Conclusions from the working group on a global conservation strategy for cassava germplasm; Conclusions from the working group on cassava genetic diversity; Conclusions from the working group on cassava genetic resources databases and information systems.