Nagib M.A. Nassar
Published November 17, 2006
Genet. Mol. Res. 5 (4): 688-695 (2006)

About the authors
Nagib M.A. Nassar

Corresponding author
N.M.A. Nassar
E-mail: nagnassa@rudah.com.br

ABSTRACT

South America is responsible for about half of the cassava world production. In the 1970’s productivity of the crop on the continent was about 15 ton/ha, and dropped continuously until reaching 12 ton/ha in 2004. India’s productivity of cassava increased from 10 ton/ ha in the 1970’s to 28 ton/ha in 2004. Brazil contributed significantly to improving cassava crops through the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The Universidade de Brasília released highprotein content hybrids, apomictic clones and explored the potential of indigenous landraces.

Key words: Cassava, India, Plant breeding, Productivity