Cassava field in Suphan Buri

Our research aims to utilize genetic and phenotypic variation of storage root development of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to improve an important bio-economy crop. The CASSAVASTORe project aims to increase products derived from cassava starch through a better understanding of storage root development, and subsequently, new cassava varieties.

Plant phenomics is still lagging behind compared with genomics. Significant efforts were initiated in Europe and worldwide leading to the establishment of scientific networks aiming at developing and sharing novel infrastructure for controlled environment and field research. However, initial costs for the development and implementation of non-invasive imaging and tomographic phenotyping methodologies remain high. Several stakeholders, namely plant breeders (public and private domains) and farmers often cannot directly benefit from research outcomes in this field.