TUBER CROPS-an important alternative food source of energy

Tuensang: Tubers are modified plant structure enlarged to store food for the plant.  Of the two types of tubers, i.e., stem and root tubers, more importance has been attributed to the root tubers in the diet of the common person. Their high contributions of carbohydrates in the limited availability of rice have made the tuber crops, particularly colocasia indispensable as energy source. In Nagaland, more importance has been given to colocasia and tapioca based on the level of consumption and area under such crops.

Colocasia/Taro: Colocasia has its origin in South-Central Asia. 
Nutritional facts
• Corms  has more calories than potato, 100g provides 112 calories
• One of the finest source of dietary fibre; 100g of flesh provides 4.1g or 11% of daily requirement of dietary fibre
• Taro leaves as well as yellow fleshed roots have significant level of phenolic flavonoid pigment antioxidants such as- carotene and cryptoxanthin along with vitamin A
• It also contains good levels of some valuable B-complex group of vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), folates, riboflavins, panthothenic acid and thiamine.
• Further, the corm also provides some important minerals like zinc, magnesium, copper, iron and manganese. In addition the roots have very good amount of potassium.

Cassava/Tapioca: Originated in Brazil of Latin America.
Important features
• It is one of the cheapest source of carbohydrate
• Tapioca produces more calories per unit area per unit time
• Plants are highly adjusted to different climatic factors
• It is an important low cost source energy source for livestock
• Tapioca is also used as raw material for industrial starch and fuel alcohol

To read more, TUBER CROPS-an important alternative food source of energy 

Adapted from The Morung Express