Tubers

The World

Serving Up Politics at the Holiday Dinner Table

Lifestyle & Belief

When families get together for the holidays, there’s bound to be tons of food, drink and cheer. But a slice of political debate often comes along with the green beans. Talking politics may be a no-go for a cocktail party, but for lots of families it’s a holiday staple. Tax cuts, health care, the Tea […]

Peruvian researchers studying power, potential of native crops

Limiting potatoes in school lunches

Health & Medicine
The World

Researchers & Restaurateurs Work to Save Peru’s Food Diversity

Arts, Culture & Media

Climate Change Spurs Revival of Ancient Incan Agriculture

Arts, Culture & Media
The World

Superspud!

Aroostook County, Maine is responsible for producing billions of pounds of potatoes each year. Potato Beetles have been known to decimate potato plants, but a new hybrid superspud has been genetically engineered to create its own pesticide to try and outsmart the adaptable beetle pests once and for all. Dan Grossman has this spud report.

The World

Mite Makes Right: Biological Insect Control in Benin

A tiny insect has saved Benin, Africa from possible famine. Scientists discovered and then imported a natural predator wasp to kill off mealy-bugs that were devastating the nation’s staple cassava harvest. David Baron of member station WBUR reports.

The World

Science Note/ Spud Saboteur Turns Good

South American potato farmers are seeing a notorious pest in a new light. It turns out the saliva of the Guatemalan potato moth may actually help increase tuber yields.

The World

Comfort Food for Chimps/Emerging Science Note

Scientists are discovering humans aren’t the only species to seek comfort in carbs.

The World

Environmental Health Note/Saving Cassava

For people living in the tropics, cassava is one of the most important foods. But if it’s not properly processed, eating it can lead to cyanide poisoning. Living on Earth’s Diane Toomey reports on a new, genetically-modified cassava plant that’s cyanide-free.