Tuber and root crops constitute the third most important group of food crops globally, providing sustenance for nearly one-fifth of the world's population. Given the pressing issue of a burgeoning population and limited resources such as land and water, tuber and root crops are well-positioned to meet the country's future food requirements. These crops exhibit high biological efficiency and possess considerable production potential per unit area per unit time. Tuber and root crops have long been recognized as nature's energy bank and famine savior.

This book has been written to provide an updated and comprehensive account of tuber and root crops, particularly in the Indian context. It covers a wide range of topics, including the history, biodiversity, geographical distribution, botany, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical values, new varieties, production technologies, integrated pest management strategies, starches, post-harvest technologies, and value-added products, as well as bio-processing, biotechnology, and ITK. The book also discusses the future prospects of tuber and root crops. The various aspects of cassava, sweet potato, elephant foot yam, taro, yams, coleus, yam bean, and arrowroot are elucidated in 17 chapters and appendices. This book will be of great use to policy makers, scientists, postgraduate and undergraduate students, and officials involved in tuber and root crops research, development, and extension.

1. Introduction by M.S. Palaniswami by Shirly Raichal Anil and K.V. Peter 2. History, origin and geographical distribution by M.S. Palaniswami and Shirly Raichal Anil 3. Botany, physiology and biodiversity by Shirly Raichal Anil and M.S. Palaniswami 4. Biochemical constituents and nutraceutical and pharmaceutical benefits by M.S. Palaniswami and Shirly Raichal Anil 5. Antinutritional factors by M.S. Palaniswami and Shirly Raichal Anil 6. Improved varieties by M.S. Palaniswami, Shirly Raichal Anil and S. K. Naskar 7. Agronomical and production technologies by M.S. Palaniswami, Shirly Raichal Anil and P.K. Singh 8. Pest and disease management by M.S. Palaniswami and J. Tarafdar 9. Tools and Equipments for Tuber Crops by S.K. Nanda 10. Tuber and Root crops as food and feed in north Eastern region of India by M.Sankaran,A.Kumaresan, B.Santhosh and K.M.Bujarbaruah 11. Tuber crops starches by S.N. Moorthy 12. Post harvest Technologies and Utilization by S.K. Nanda Gerbera 13. Tuber crops Biotechnology by M.N.Sheela and K.Rajmohan 14. Bioprocessing of Root and Tuber crops by R C Ray and M S Palaniswami 15. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge on Tuber Crops in India by M.S.Palaniswami, M.Sankaran, K.Dhinesh Babu and B.Santhosh 16. Potentialities of tuber crops by George Thomas and K.V. Peter 17. Future Thrusts by M.S. Palaniswami, Shirly Raichal Anil and K.V. Peter