Identification of epigenetic variations influencing viral resistance and yield in cassava (Manihot esculenta) farmers’ fields

Cassava has a high potential to mitigate at least three of the 17 sustainable development goals: ”No Poverty”, “Zero Hunger” and “Good Health and Well-being”. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is the most important tropical root crop in the world. Its starchy roots are a major source of dietary energy for more than 500 million people in subtropics area which is rapidly increasing in population. Several studies have attributed to cassava the ability to grow under hostile and dry conditions; this resilience makes cassava an excellent crop to face climate change, however, its yield variability causes a significant reduction in production yield.Plants as sessile organisms developed mechanisms to rapidly adjust to environmental stresses. One mechanism is the epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation) of molecular reactions to cope with stress. Therefore, growth variability and adaptability partially depend on environment dependent spontaneous DNA methylation events which are maintained in farmers field due to the clonal propagation of the planting material.  In this study we want to investigate how epigenetic influences two fundamental traits affecting yield and consequently the farmers productivity and income: storage root mass and tolerance to Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD). We have been studying cassava at the molecular and physiological levels for 5 years learning that controlling better these traits might have a high potential to directly increase smallholder farmers’ productivity.