SCREENING OF YACON (Smallanthus sonchifolius) IN THE BILBAO RIOJA AND CHARCAS PROVINCES OF DEPARTAMENT POTOSÍ IN BOLIVIA

FERNÁNDEZ C.E., PÉREZ V.W., ROBLES C.H., VIEHMANNOVÁ I.


Abstract

The major objective of this work was to complement the existing studies of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius ) in Bolivia. We have made a screening of the actual situation of the crop (population, exploatation, commerce) in the Bilbao Rioja and Charcas provincies of department Potosí; a total area of 656 sq.km including 16 villages in above the sea height ranging from 2 680 to 3 776 m. Of the total 2 435 families in the 16 villages, 51 families grow yacon in small areas and for their own needs. The local people recognize two local cultivars of yacon: k'ellu (yellow) and yurak (white). Depending on major colour of cortical part of tuberous root (of pulp), the classification into 5 morphotypes was made: white, crystal white, clearly violet, orange and yellow. The white morphotype was the most spread one in the monitored areas; it is grown in 13 villages of the total 16; the yellow ecotype is grown in 10 villages; the crystal white one in 3 villages, the orange and the clearly violet ones in 1 village.

Key words:
Screening, yacon, Smallanthus sonchifolius, growth, morphotypes, Potosí, Bolivia

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