Exploring the Power of Cassava – Public Talk at the Botanical Garden in Erlangen
An engaging presentation on “The Wonder of the Cassava Plant” took place at the Botanical Garden in Erlangen, led by Dr. Mercedes Thieme and Dr. Christian Lamm from the Chair of Biochemistry at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU).
Cassava, also known as manioc or yuca, is a tropical root crop that played the central role in the presentation. Much like the potato, cassava stores starch in its roots and serves as a staple food for millions of people in tropical regions. Its resilience makes it highly tolerant to drought and poor soils, which makes it especially valuable in the context of climate change. Cassava is energy-rich, grows locally, and requires minimal fertilizer, making it a vital crop for food security in many parts of the world. Originally native to the Amazon region of South America, cassava was brought to Africa and Asia by Portuguese explorers, where it quickly became a major food source. Unlike many other crops, cassava is propagated not from seeds but from cuttings – a simple method where a branch is planted directly into the soil.
Dr. Thieme and Dr. Lamm also addressed the challenges of cassava cultivation, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The crop is harvested manually, often through strenuous labor carried out by women. Moreover, cassava is part of the spurge family and contains natural toxins, making proper processing essential. The plant’s versatility is reflected in a wide range of products made from it – such as gari, fufu, and tapioca. In times of drought or conflict, cassava proves to be a life-sustaining crop.
The presentation also introduced the Cassava Source-Sink (CASS) project, in which an international team of researchers is working to improve cassava through biotechnological methods. The goal is to enhance the production, distribution, and storage of sugars formed during photosynthesis in order to boost yields, reduce hunger, and improve livelihoods. Dr. Lamm presented several scientific approaches, such as transformation techniques, and explained how experiments are conducted in greenhouses and field conditions. Practical challenges such as pest management and logistics were also discussed.
The event provided the audience with a introduction to cassava’s potential and the scientific efforts to harness it. The discussions that followed the talk reflected the high level of interest in the topic.
Overall, the presentation was a great success and offered valuable insights into a crop that holds great promise for contributing to global food security through innovative research.