Unearthing the "Lost" Andean Root Crop "Mauka" (Mirabilis expansa [Ruíz & Pav.] Standl.). Although recognized as part of the vibrant array of native roots and tubers that support farmers' livelihoods in the Andean region, the root vegetable "mauka" (Mirabilis expansa (Ruíz & Pav.) Standl.) is little known outside the scattering of communities where it is cultivated and is considered at risk of disappearance. Based on fieldwork carried out in Peru in 2016, this study documents ethnobotanical knowledge of mauka through interviews with 40 farmers across the regions of Ancash, Huánuco, Puno, and Amazonas. Further, it re-evaluates the distribution of the crop and explores opportunities for conservation. Mauka was found to be more widely distributed in Peru than previously thought, and a total of 21 germplasm specimens were collected for ex situ conservation, including one landrace from Puno that had not been previously described. Farmers reported a substantial decline in mauka cultivation in their communities 20-50 years ago, with its lack of commercial value cited as a major reason for abandonment. Promisingly, through facilitating an encounter between several of these farmers and chefs at the renowned Peruvian restaurant Central, we demonstrate that revaluing mauka as a gastronomic ingredient could incentivize ongoing cultivation. Desenterrando La Raíz 'Perdida' De Los Andes "Mauka" (Mirabilis expansa [Ruíz & Pav.] Standl.). Aunque es conocida como una parte de la variedad de raíces y tubérculos nativos cultivados por agricultores de la región andina, la "mauka" (Mirabilis expansa (Ruíz & Pav.) Standl.) es poco usada fuera de las comunidades locales donde la gente se cultiva, y está en proceso de desaparecer. Este estudio está basado en trabajo de campo realizado en el Perú durante el 2016, documentando los conocimientos etnobotánicos sobre la mauka. Se baso en entrevistas con cuarenta agricultores en los departamentos de Ancash, Huánuco, Puno, y Amazonas. También se reevalúo la distribución de este cultivo y se exploró las posibilidades para su conservación. Se descubrió que la mauka está más ampliamente distribuida de lo que se pensaba. Se recolectaron un total de veintiún muestras de germoplasma para la conservación exsitu, incluyendo un morofotipo no descrito en Puno. Los agricultores han informado sobre la disminución sustancial del cultivo en los últimos 20 a 50 años. Su valor comercial bajo es considerado como una de las principales razones para su abandono. Al facilitar un encuentro entre varios de estos agricultores y chefs del renombrado restaurante Peruano Central, demostramos que revalorizar la m a u k a c o m o i n g r e d i e n t e gastronómico podría incentivar su cultivación nuevamente.
The Andean region is the centre of origin and domestication of at least 9 species of native root and tuber crops in addition to several species of native potatoes. Within this group, Mauka – also known as Miso or Taso ‒ (Mirabilis expansa Ruíz & Pav.) Standl. ‒ Nyctaginaceae) is one of the least well known, despite having much potential. It is cultivated at high altitudes (2300 to 3500 m a.s.l.) in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and is thought to be of pre-Inca origin. Mauka is characterized by its high nutritional value due to substantial levels of protein, calcium and phosphorus, as well as secondary metabolites with nutraceutical properties of varied application. It also has good potential as a forage plant. Based on ethnobotanical knowledge and scientific investigations, this review presents advances in the agronomic understanding of Mauka since its discovery five decades ago in several isolated rural Bolivian communities. The information presented covers both Andean and non-Andean countries. It includes results from journals on natural resources, botany, agronomy, and the congress minutes from botanical, agronomic and phytogenetic resources conferences. Theses on Mauka specifically and on phytogenetic resources in general were also reviewed. Books and manuals were reviewed in the libraries of the International Potato Center, INIAP-Ecuador, INIA-Peru and universities. The plant is described with emphasis on its agronomic traits and according to its propagation forms (seed or vegetative); in terms of its agroecology, phenology, growth dynamics and their indices, crop management, harvest and post-harvest processes. It is concluded that important advances in the understanding of the agronomy of Mauka have been accomplished. Furthermore, the review highlights aspects requiring further research, in order to develop improved production technologies to ensure its future use and conservation.
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