Abstract
Among the many neglected underutilized species, tuberous Andean root crops such as the ahipas (Pachyrhizus ahipa) constitute a promising alternative for increasing diversity in nutrient sources and food security at a regional level. ahipa × P. tuberosus). A significant objective was to determine protein and free amino acids in the roots to evaluate their food quality as protein supply. The interspecific hybrids have been found to possess the root quality to provide the crop with a higher dry matter content. The high dry matter content of the P. tuberosus Chuin materials is retained in the root quality of the hybrids. Food functional components such as carbohydrates, organic acids, and proteins were determined in several ahipa accessions and a stable (non-segregating) progeny of the interspecific hybrid, X207. The X207 roots showed a significantly higher dry matter content and a lower content in soluble sugars, but no significant differences were found in starch content or organic acids compared to the ahipa accessions. Regarding the root mineral contents, Fe and Mn concentrations in X207 were significantly raised compared to the average of ahipa accessions. Among the ahipa and the hybrid, no prominent differences in protein content or protein amino acids were found, being both partially defective in providing sufficient daily intake of some essential amino acids. Root weight, a central component of root yield, was significantly higher in X207, but thorough field studies are required to substantiate the hybrid’s superior yield performance.
Highlights
In the Andean region, several crops have been improved by local farmers for centuries
We looked at the content of energy sources, as well as macro- and micronutrients, and extended the analysis of structural compounds such as protein amino acids
Ahipa genotypes evaluated in this work were six different accessions of Pachyrhizus ahipa (AC216, AC229, AC521, AC524, AC525, AC526) and an F7 progeny from a hybrid between P. ahipa AC524 and P. tuberosus TC361 Chuin genotype designated as X207
Summary
In the Andean region, several crops have been improved by local farmers for centuries They may yet be considered neglected and underutilized species (NUS). At present, they are subjected to a gradual loss of genetic variability or even verging extinction because of their reduced demand and the competition of readily marketable crops [1]. They are subjected to a gradual loss of genetic variability or even verging extinction because of their reduced demand and the competition of readily marketable crops [1] They may contribute to regional food security while providing a wide range of functional elements for healthy diets [2,3]. They constitute essential components of farm agrobiodiversity, playing a significant role by increasing food security and yield stability either by reducing pests’ impact [7] or by providing nutrients to soils, e.g., N2-fixing legumes [8]
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