This chapter covers the domestication, discovery, origin, related species and geographical distribution of cassava.

Summary A palisaded enclosure and associated features were excavated by CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) in advance of the construction of the proposed Glasgow Southern Orbital Road. Radiocarbon dates indicate that the palisade and at least some of the internal features date to the Early Historic period, between the 8th and 10th centuries cal. AD. The Titwood palisade is currently the only site of this date to have been excavated in western mainland Scotland, as well as being one of the few known Early Historic palisaded sites in Scotland. Evidence of Neolithic activity on the site was also established. The work was commissioned by ASH Consulting Group on behalf of East Renfrewshire Council.

This chapter covers the domestication, origin, discovery, and geographical distribution of sweet potato.

This chapter covers the following aspects of the breeding and genetics of major aroids (mainly Alocasia macrorrhiza, Amorphophallus campanulatus, Colocasia esculenta, Cyrtosperma merkusii and Xanthosoma sagittifolium): breeding objectives and selection criteria; sexual reproduction and sterility; crossing techniques and true seed production; selection methods and programmes; heritability of major traits; genotype × environment interactions; use of related species in breeding; polyploidy breeding; rapid vegetative propagation (including micropropagation); molecular markers; transgenic technologies; and germplasm conservation.

This chapter covers the following aspects of yam (Dioscorea spp.) breeding and genetics: breeding objectives and selection criteria; sexual reproduction and sterility; crossing techniques and true seed production; selection methods and programmes; heritability of major traits; genotype × environment interactions; use of related species in breeding; polyploidy breeding; rapid vegetative propagation (including micropropagation); molecular markers; transgenic technologies; and germplasm conservation.