Crop improvement: Emerging trends in root and tuber crops

摘要

Root and tuber crops constitute a significant source of food and income to millions of the world's inhabitants, especially in developing countries. They serve as a human food sourcE, an animal feed stock, and for various industrial purposes. Potato, cassava and sweet potato are three of the seven crops produced at a level of more than one million tons per year on a global basis (FAO, 1994). Along with yams and aroids (actually an edible corm rather than a root or tuber), they are the most important of the root and tuber crops. Cassava alone serves as a major carbohydrate source for more than 500 million people on three continents.