Yield analysis of cassava inoculated with Rhizophagus irregularis under humid tropical conditions

The growing world population requires that countries producing feed increase yields of crops to ensure food for this population. Cassava, are the third most important source of calories in tropical countries and is an essential component in the diet of more than 1,000 million people worldwide. However, the only way to increase crop yields is the development of new technologies; therefore, the use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) has great potential, since it is proved that this plant is highly dependent on this symbiosis, especially in soils with low available phosphorus. These fungi help improve phosphorus uptake by the plant, which is essential for the growth of any plant species and helps to significantly reduce the use of industrial fertilizers, whose reserves in the world dropped dramatically because it is a nonrenewable resource.

This investigation will be conducted in African countries and its aim is to evaluate the yield of cassava inoculated with the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis under associated crops systems. The purpose of this evaluation is looking for a more efficient food production in developing countries and providing compliance to the first developmental objective of the millennium regarding eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, established by the UN.