The Potato Botany, Production and Uses

Potatoes are the most important non-cereal in the world and are an important part of the diet of over 1.5 billion people across the globe. Despite the continued expansion of the world population, resources needed to grow food are limited. Also pressuring food production will be increased meat and dairy consumption in countries with rising affluence and competition with biofuels. Some estimate that crop production must double by 2050 to meet needs. Potatoes yield substantially more calories per acre than maize, wheat, rice or soybean, and produce >50% more protein per unit of land area than wheat and approximately 80% more than rice. No other food, not even soybeans can match the potato for production of food energy, and food value per unit of land. Aside from being highly land-use efficient, potatoes offer consumers a wide array of complex carbohydrates, protein vitamins, and phytonutrients. Potatoes are a staple crop around the world.