Embrapa develops its first table cassava for the state of São Paulo

As part of the variety diversification strategy to meet the needs of the productive sector in the Center-South of the country, Embrapa launches table cassava (cassava) BRS 429 for São Paulo and Paraná. It is the Company's first table variety recommended for the state of São Paulo. Since 2015, cassava farmers in Paraná have had the BRS 396 and BRS 399 varieties, as well as BRS 429, from crosses carried out by Embrapa Cerrados (DF) and validated in the Center-South by the Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura (BA) team. which operates in an advanced field in the region. The contribution of the new cultivar, which stands out for its good culinary quality and flavor, is 49,76% average superior productivity of commercial roots, when compared to the performance of traditional varieties in the regions, with the potential to exceed 60 tons per hectare. 

The launch takes place on June 7th, at the School Farm of the Northwest Regional Campus of the State University of Maringá (UEM/CRN), located in Diamante do Norte (PR), and, subsequently, a series of actions to promote the variety in areas of institutions and partner producers in the experiments in both states. The forecast is that in the second semester there will also be an extension of the recommendation to the Cerrado, initially the Federal District and surrounding areas — some tests already indicate, for example, 30% more productivity in relation to local varieties.

History of obtaining the variety

Since 2007, Embrapa has evaluated more than three thousand cassava clones in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná and São Paulo, in experimental fields of partner institutions and producers. Part of this collection is generated by the Embrapa Cerrados cassava genetic improvement program, under the responsibility of researcher Eduardo Alano Vieira, and part by the Embrapa Cassava and Fruticulture program, coordinated by researcher Vanderlei Santos. The collection of which BRS 429 was part was sent to the Center-South in 2013 and initially introduced at Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste (MS). After being selected, the material was taken to areas of partner institutions and producers in São Paulo and Paraná, forming a wide network of experiments. 

“A variety of cassava is not something that can be achieved in a short period of time. It requires cycles of recombinations and validations. What is being harvested today was planted long ago. Regarding BRS 429, work began on a crossing field established in 2008/2009. In 2009, we obtained the seed. The first selection took place in 2009/2010, then 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. There were, therefore, three harvests here at Embrapa Cerrados. In 2013, the clone that gave rise to BRS 429 went along with other materials to the Center-South”, says Eduardo Alano.

According to the researcher, in the selection process five characteristics were sought: resistance to bacteriosis, the main disease that occurs in both the Cerrado and the Center-South; yellow pulp material, related to the amount of beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A; high productivity; high height of the first branch, to favor mechanized planting; and, finally, good culinary qualities, that is, tableware has to cook well. “These were the main characteristics that we considered here due to our years of work that has been carried out, carrying out this exchange, that is, materials from the Cerrado being validated concomitantly in the Center-South of the country”, says Alano. Rangel also highlights the importance of joint work between Embrapa Units to select materials in different regions. “Being able to select the same material for the Center-South and the Cerrado is the result of very serious work by our breeders and this dialogue that exists between breeding and the production chain.”

Regarding the validation work in the region, Rangel adds that the table cassava experimentation networks are slightly smaller than the industrial ones, given the much larger partnerships in the industrial segment. Despite being more limited, the locations are, as the researcher highlights, very representative. “For example, in Diamante do Norte, the soil comes from sandstone. Marechal Cândido Rondon (PR) is in the area with the most clayey soil. These results prove that the variety showed great stability and remained highly productive in all tested environments,” he highlights.

In search of new materials

Embrapa is working to launch more cassava materials, both for table and industry — the next planned launches are two varieties for industrial use also for the Center-South of the country (since 2016, cassava has already been launched for the region for industry BRS CS01 and BRS 420). The idea, as Rangel highlights, is to obtain many varieties, but this does not mean that they compete with each other, as each one has characteristics that will please specific segments of producers. “No variety will please everyone. What happens is a natural accommodation of the materials. That's why it's so important to diversify, as one tends to serve more of a segment in a given region, another serves another and so on. We must know how to position the materials and naturally follow what is happening”, he highlights. 

Eduardo Alano adds that the objective is to provide table variety options for producers. “The interesting thing is that, in the Paraná region, we always think about cassava to obtain starch, mainly for starch, and we have seen a great professionalization of table cassava producers. Here in the Cerrado, the vast majority are horticulturists who value a quality product. So we see less and less cassava being sold in the peel and more and more being minimally processed, peeled, sanitized and vacuum packed for sale. This requires different characteristics, and breeding has to offer this to producers. When the producer has a product of differentiated quality, he is able to sell it at a higher value and increases the income of his property”, analyzes the researcher. 

Ally with the SDGs

The launch of this new variety is in line with Embrapa's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), a global agenda adopted during the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development in 2015 with the mission of building and implementing public policies that aim to guide humanity by 2030 (Agenda 2030). Meets Goal Number 2 “Zero hunger and sustainable agriculture”, which consists of eradicating hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

In 2017, the Embrapa ODS Network was created, which aims to manage the intelligence distributed in the research Units and respond to demands regarding the 2030 Agenda. An analysis of Embrapa's Strategic Objectives carried out by the Network's members showed the direct or indirect link between Company's performance in all 17 SDGs. One theme page was created to show how the Company's work is linked to each of the SDGs. It is possible to understand, from this information, how food production aligned with the generation of sustainable innovation in the countryside contributes to improving people's quality of life, reducing the price of the basic food basket and exporting Brazilian products, which which moves the economy and brings resources to the country.