Potato landraces and their wild relatives in 3 micro-centers of diversity in Ecuador: farmers' perception and ecogeography

F Yumisaca-Jiménez,R Aucancela-Huebla,L Corozo-Quiñonez,Á Monteros-Altamirano,K Cunguán,J Coronel

doi:10.1007/s10722-021-01285-3

Abstract

Ecuador is one of the centers of diversity for wild and cultivated potatoes. Three micro-centers of diversity were previously identified based on germplasm collecting passport data of potato landraces and their wild relatives. The objective of this study was to understand the potential hybridization dynamic of the genetic diversity present in situ in these micro-centers (provinces of Carchi, Chimborazo and Loja in Ecuador) by means of assessing the possibility of an eventual genetic cross within intercropped potato landraces, or among potato landraces to their wild relatives; besides the mapping of actual geographic location of recent collections of potato landrace and wild potato relatives in the study areas. Information from farmers and eco-geographic data demonstrated that there is no potential crossing between wild and cultivated potato species. Probably the existing genetic variability in Ecuador has been accumulated since the historical movement of potato landraces by American ancestors from the center of origin in Peru and Bolivia and the continuum knowledge and seed sharing besides the conscious and unconscious selection of potato landraces by local farmers for centuries. Additionally, we discuss options to conserve both cultivated and wild potato species in Ecuador due to apparent current genetic erosion processes.

Highlights

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian scientist Nikolai I
By using the same 3 micro-centers of potato diversity identified for Ecuador by Monteros-Altamirano (2018), the objective of this study was to understand the potential hybridization dynamic of the genetic diversity present in situ by means of: 1. Reviewing the possibility of an eventual genetic cross within intercropped potato landraces through surveys to local producers; 2
Have you seen wild potatoes near the field where you grow your potato landraces? Later, we inquire about their perception of whether they see a potential cross between the wild relatives and their potato landraces with the following question: F

Summary

Introduction

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian scientist Nikolai I. The Andean region was identified as one of the centers of origin and domestication of various crops, including potatoes. Ecuador up North is one of the centers of diversity for cultivated and wild potatoes (Hawkes, 1988; Hawkes, 1990; Monteros-Altamirano, 2011). The Ecuadorian potato diversity includes three taxa of cultivated tuber-bearing potatoes, known as Solanum tuberosum L. Andigena) added to 23 wild species related to potato (Spooner et al, 1992; Spooner et al, 2007; Spooner et al, 2014). Naranjo et al (2020) collected 8 wild potato-related species in the Ecuadorian highlands: Solanum albicans (Ochoa) Ochoa, Solanum albornozii Correll, Solanum andreanum Baker, Solanum chilliasense Ochoa, Solanum chomatophilum Bitter, Solanum colombianum Dunal, Solanum minutifoliolum Correll and Solanum olmosense Ochoa

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion