Scientific Classification:

Kingdom Plantae
Division Magnoliophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Malpighiales
Family Euphorbiaceae
Genus Manihot
Species M. esculenta
Binomial name Manihot esculenta

Other Common Names:

The other common names for cassava are yuca, manioc, and mandioca.



History

CASSAVA MANIHOT ESCULENTA
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae) is one of the worlds most important tropical plants, and is ranked as the fourth source of carbohydrates in the tropics (FAO,1995). Unlike many other crops, cassava can be grown with minimal inputs and it is able to produce reasonably well under unfavourable conditions such as low soil fertility, acidic soils or drought. It is a staple crop in various developing nations in Africa, Asia and South America, despite the low attention historically received in research. Cassava is also an industrial crop for starch, flour and animal feed. Cassava is an outbreeding species originated in the American continent. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava.

Description

Cassava is a tall semi woody perennial shrub or tree with big palmately compound leaves. It resembles a castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). The dark green leaves are a foot or more across and have 5-9 lobes. The petioles (leaf stems) are very long, up to 24 in (61 cm) long and they are red as are the stems.

CASSAVA TUBERS1CASSAVA TUBERS2 CASSAVA TUBERS3
Plants can grow more than 20 ft (6.1 m) tall in frostfree regions, but where they die back and regrow in spring they rarely get more than 10 ft (3 m) tall. The tuberous edible roots are 8-30 in (20-76 cm) long and 1-3 in (2.5-7.6 cm) in diameter. They grow in outward pointing clusters from the base of the stem just below the soil surface. The modern "sweet" cultivars require only peeling and cooking. A woody cordon runs along the root's axis. The flesh can be chalk -white or yellowish.

Range

Cassava is native to South America but is cultivated in tropical and subtropical zones throughout the world. Many countries have developed extensive programs to further the raising of this crop like Mexico, Central America, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Africa, Ghana, Madagascar, Indonesia, Federated Malay States, Thailand, India, Philippine Islands, Paraguay, Fiji, and Sri Lanka.



Habitat

Cassava grows best if it gets full sun in the morning and partial shade at midday. Manioc will grow in all well-drained tropical and subtropical areas of the world where there is a warm humid climate. Cassava is quite drought tolerant and is rarely irrigated, but it does produce better crops when it receives regular watering and the soil is not allowed to completely dry out.

Cultivation

Cassava is propagated by tip cuttings with bottom heat in the summer. It is best to propagate any type of cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. Make sure you keep this plant warm. Tapioca is made from the root of this plant. If possible put outside for the summer in filtered light. Feed only twice a year, once in April and once in July with a water soluble fertilizer. Keep the soil on the wet side and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. Cassava is harvested in 10-14 months, depending on the cv, the cultural practices and the purpose of the crop, but mostly within the first year. When the crop is intended for food purposes, harvest may commence at 8-10 months, when tubers are still tender and premature.

Parts Used

CASSAVA PARTS

The cassava root is the most important part used for its commercial and medicinal purposes.

Pests and Diseases

Prone to spider mites and mealy bugs. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. White ants are a pest during the germinating period, and wild hogs damage the crops by eating the tubers. Insects pests include Stalk-borers (Curcullionida, Sternocoelus granicollis), Stink-bugs (Aleurothrix usaipim and Asterochiton manihoti), galls or swellings in the leaves caused by larvae of flies (Iatrophobia brasiliensis), mosaic of biting insects (Eutrips manihoti), and night-flying moths during their larval stages (Erinnyis ello and E. Aolpe) (attack leaves of manioc) controlled by a parasitic fly that attacks the chrysalis. The cassava mosaic virus causes the leaves of the cassava plant to wither, limiting the growth of the root. The virus is spread by the whitefly and by the transplanting of diseased plants into new fields.

Medicinal Applications

CASSAVA MEDICINE1CASSAVA MEDICINE2

• Medicinally, the poisonous juice is boiled down to a syrup and given as an aperient.

• Fresh rhizome made into a poultice is applied to sores.

• The flour cooked in grease, the leaf stewed and pulped, and the root decocted as a wash are said to be folk remedies for tumors.

• Cassava is used in folk remedies for cancerous affections, condylomata, excrescences of the eye, and tumors.

• Cassava is used in treating abscesses, boils, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, dysentery, flu, hernia, inflammation, marasmus, prostatitis, snakebite, sore, spasm, swellings, and testicles.

• It is used as an excellent vermifuge.

• Cassava is used n treating diarrhea.

• Leaf juice is taken as an abortifacient.

Commercial Applications

CASSAVA COMMERCIAL1CASSAVA COMMERCIAL2

• Products made from the cassava root include yuca, tapioca pudding, farinha, starch, soaps, glue, sugar, alcoholic drinks, acetone and cyanide.

• It is an essential ingredient in pepperpot stew.

• Cassava is grown primarily for the tubers which are used as a foodstuff.

• Significant research has begun to evaluate the use of cassava as an ethanol biofuel.

• Tapioca is used as a thickener in puddings and soups; an industrial starch is used in baked goods, laundry and paper industries, and for sizing cotton fabrics and other textiles; from the starch a glue is prepared useable on postage stamps.

• The root is also eaten roasted, especially the sweet variety, though even in the case of the poisonous tuber, the unwholesome element is volatized by cooking.

• The true starch of the Mandioca is known to commerce as Brazilian arrowroot.

• Cassava is used worldwide for animal feed as well.


Astrology

CASSAVA ASTROLOGY
The astro report for the cassava plant says that it is under the governance of the planet Mercury.

Folklores and Myths

Cassava pie is a traditional Christmas dish. In Cambodia Rice wine and cassava beer are common and are consumed primarily on ritual occasions. Men often bear the responsibility for making alcoholic beverages and cooking ritual foods with cassava root. The staple food of the Central African diet is cassava, which is a starchy root. After the plant is soaked in water for three days, the roots are peeled and broken into pieces to be dried in the sun. Just before eating, the dried cassava is ground into a fine flour used to make the mainstay of Central African cuisine, called gozo.

This is a firm paste made by adding the cassava flour to boiling water. Most Central African meals consist of gozo served with a sauce made with meat, fish, and vegetables. A typical meal consists of one bowl of sauce accompanied by one ball of gozo. A favourite everyday dish called ngunja is made with the dark green leaves of the cassava plant. The use of yuca as a staple food in many places of the Americas was translated into many images of yuca being used in pre-Columbian art; the Moche people often depicted yuca in their ceramics.