BSF project "Marker Assisted Selection of Useful Cassava Germplasm Adapted to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses caused by Global Climate Change"

Cassava (Manihot esculenta), also called yuca or manioc, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions. The extreme temperatures, drought and flooding brought about by climate change are affecting cassava cultivation. New and changed pathogens are threatening to exacerbate these issues, with a new virus causing brown streak disease having been identified as a major threat to cassava cultivation worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new cultivars that are adapted to these threats by or genetic transformations based on useful candidate genes. This Benefit-sharing project is characterizing Cassava germplasm with respect to resistance and tolerance to different biotic and abiotic stresses and applying marker assisted selection (MAS) to develop new Cassava varieties adapted to climate change for sustainable agriculture.