Duckweed as an aquatic monocot crop - a potential for the problem of global population boom

Abstract

Since the rapid global population growth (estimated 9 billion people in 2050), mankind faces enormous challenges of food and fuel supplies, environment pollution, etc. Moreover, the global climate changes make the situation worse. In this situation, gaining knowledge on terrestrial as well as aquatic plants will decidedly influence the context of agricultural technology and production, which eventually leads to new modern and sustainable argiculture. In this paper, the authors have reviewed the current advances in application and basic research of duckweed as an aquatic crop in order to facilitate the involvement of Vietnamese biologists in international emerging efforts.