China and Brazil explore sweet cassava for ethanol production

摘要

Brazilian scientists have a large germplasm bank for manioc (Manihot esculenta; cassava) that includes sweet cassava mutants suitable for ethanol production. The Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) and state-owned Brazilian Agricultual Research Enterprise (EMBRAPA) have announced a cooperative program to identify mutants having the capacity to produce more sugar, which is readily converted to ethanol, and less starch.