Source-Sink
Balance

It describes how plants produce, transport, and store energy.

 

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In cassava:

• Some varieties use most of their energy for stems and leaves (bad for food production)

• Other varieties use more energy to grow big, edible roots (good for farmers)

 

Our work changes the plant’s source-sink balance so more energy goes to the storage roots.

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By “pushing” more sugars to the roots and “pulling” the roots to grow more and store more starch, we aim to double cassava yields.

 

Push-Pull Concept:

    •    Push = more sun energy into carbohydrates

    •    Pull = faster root growth and starch storage