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Rooting for cassava: insights into photosynthesis and associated physiology as a route to improve yield potential
Author(s) -
De Souza Amanda P.,
Massenburg Lynnicia N.,
Jaiswal Deepak,
Cheng Siyuan,
Shekar Rachel,
Long Stephen P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.14250
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , photosynthetically active radiation , manihot esculenta , population , biology , cultivar , yield (engineering) , canopy , manihot , photosynthetic efficiency , interception , agronomy , horticulture , botany , ecology , materials science , metallurgy , demography , sociology
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 (ɛ i ) of photosynthetically active radiation ( PAR ) and the efficiency of conversion of that intercepted PAR (ɛ c ) 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 ɛ i and ɛ c . Possible physiological limitations, as well as environmental constraints, are discussed.ContentsSummary 50 I. Introduction 50 II. How might genetic yield potential be increased in cassava? 52 III. Modifying the cassava canopy to achieve higher ɛ i 54 IV. Increasing ε c in cassava through photosynthesis 55 V. Does cassava have the sink capacity for an increased influx of photoassimilates? 57 VI. Environmental stress effects on photosynthesis and development 57 VII. Conclusion 59Acknowledgements 60References 61