Cassava is a perennial shrub grown primarily for its storage roots.

The major cassava producing countries are Nigeria, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Ghana, Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Angola. 

India productivity of cassava is 27.92 t/ha as against the world average 10.76 t/ha.

India ranks fourth in Asia and 14th in the world for area and third in Asia and 7th in the world for the production of cassava roots.

India accounts for just 1.30% of area.

Major cassava producing states of India are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam and Karnataka.

• Kingdom:  Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order:  Euphorbiales
• Family: Euphorbiaceae
• Genus: Manihot 
• Species: esculenta

Storage roots are the most economically important part of Cassava.

Cassava thrives in tropical and subtropical regions of the world as it requires warm temperatures for optimal growth.

It thrives in regions with warm, moist climates with regular rainfall. 

Cassava can be grown in many types of soil, producing even in poor soil but will be optimally productive in well-draining, sandy clay loam with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

Root production is maximized when temperatures are between 25 and 32°C.

• Biotic causes 
  
  • Major pest: Mites, African root and tuber scale, Cassava scale, Grasshopper and Cassava red mite.
    
  • Major Diseases: Anthracnose, Brown leaf spot, White leaf spot, Bud necrosis and Brown streak disease.
• Abiotic Causes - Chlorosis and Stunted growth.