Taufikurahman
Two major problems facing the world are global climate change and food security. The increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) level in the atmosphere is known as a dominant factor that cause global warming. It is important and interesting to understand the effect of elevated CO2 level in the atmosphere to plant growth, production and quality of plant product. Cassava (Manihot esculenta L. Crantz), a staple food for 750 million people mostly in tropical countries, is known to contain a toxic substance i.e. HCN that may cause severe problem to human health. We have been conducting research on the ecophysiological responses of cassava plant to elevated CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Cassava will be planted in growth room with closed system, and carbon dioxide will be added with various concentrations. Plant growth parameters including plant height, number of shoot, number of leaves, and dry weight will be measured as well as chlorophyll content in the leaves, HCN and nitrogen content in the root, tuber, stem and leaves. We expect that the result of the research will contribute important scientific information to the issue of global warming effect to plant production and the quality of agricultural product.