The group Phureja (Solanum tuberosum L.) has been little studied in Peru, despite its culinary, nutritional and industrial quality and the risk of erosion to which it is subjected in recent decades. The objective of this research was to evaluate the total and commercial yield of tubers of fifteen potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum, Phureja group). Traditional, yellow, and early cultivars were evaluated from Cajamarca region, Peru, to identify the most productive cultivars within the study group. The work was carried out on a plot of the Silvoagricultural Service of the Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca: 7 ° 10`LS and 78 ° 30’ LW, 2670 masl, 14.7 °C average annual temperature, 64.5% relative humidity and 651 mm of annual precipitation. Seeding was carried out at 0.90 m and 0.40 m between rows and between plants, respectively; in completely randomized block design, with three repetitions. Plant height, number of stems, number and total weight of tubers, number and weight of tubers according to categories, specific gravity, dry matter of tubers and foliage, and harvest index were evaluated. Significant statistical differences were found between cultivars for a total number of tubers, number of commercial tubers, a weight of commercial tubers, plant height, number of stems, dry matter of the tubers and harvest index. The best cultivars in tuber yield were Blanca amarilla (27.8 t/ha), Limeña huachuma (27.4 t/ha), Llanqueja (25.0 t/ha), Amarilla redonda (23.3 t/ha) and Piña amarilla (21.8 t/ha).

ResumenEl yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius) es parte de nuestra biodiversidad alimentaria y medicinal, utilizándose tanto las raíces como las hojas, por sus propiedades antioxidantes, hipoglicemiantes y antibacterianas. Por estas características, su uso como alimento funcional y/o nutracéutico es promisorio. Objetivos: Evaluar la capacidad antioxidante de 10 accesiones de yacón procedentes de Cajamarca. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo. Instituciones: Centro de Investigación de Bioquímica y Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, UNMSM y Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca (UNC), Perú. Material biológico: Hojas y raíces de yacón. Intervenciones: Se usó hojas y raíces de plantas de yacón cultivadas en el Campo Experimental del Programa de Raíces y Tubérculos Andinos, ciudad de Cajamarca (2 536 msnm), de la colección que mantiene la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias de la UNC. La procedencia de estas accesiones fueron las localidades Yanamango, Chuquibamba, Yanac, Cumbico, Bambamarca, Sapuc, Can Can, José Gálvez, Contumazá y San Ignacio. Se empleó la prueba de DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidracilo) y se midió el contenido de fenoles totales y flavonoides totales. Se usó ácido ascórbico, ácido gálico (AG) y quercetina (Q) como referencia, respectivamente. Principales medidas de resultados: Contenido de fenoles totales y flavonoides totales. Resultados: Para la captación del radical DPPH, los extractos de raíces presentaron un IC 50 , en el rango de 1,92 a 6,32 uL de raíz/mL. Sus fenoles totales variaron de 217,5 a 352,4 ug EAG/mL de raíz. Los extractos hidroalcohólicos de hojas mostraron un IC 50 , para la captación del radical DPPH, entre 44,2 y 110,3 ug de hoja seca/mL. Sus fenoles totales estuvieron en el rango de 7,7 a 22,7 mg EAG/g de hoja y el de flavonoides entre 2,2 y 4,4 mg EQ/g de hoja. Conclusiones: En el presente estudio, las accesiones con mayor potencial antioxidante, para hojas y raíces, provinieron de las localidades de Yanamango y Chuquibamba. Estos resultados se podrían relacionar a su diferente distribución geográfica. Palabras clave: Smallanthus sonchifolius, raíces y hojas de yacón, antioxidantes, fenoles totales. Abstract Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is part of our food and medicinal biodiversity and both roots and leaves are used due to their antioxidant, hypoglycemic and antibacterial properties. Consequently its use as functional food and/or nutraceutical is promising. Objectives: To determine the antioxidant capacity of 10 yacon accessions native from Cajamarca. Design: Descriptive, cross sectional and prospective study. Setting: Biochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), and Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca (UNC), Peru. Biological material: Yacon leaves and roots. Interventions: Yacon leaves and roots of plants cultivated in the Experimental Field of the Roots and Andean Tubers Program, Cajamarca's city (2 536 meters above sea level), were used, from the collection that supports the UNC Faculty of Agrarian ...

ResumenEl objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el rendimiento de tubérculos y las variables relacionadas de 17 cultivares de papa del grupo Phureja, de la región Cajamarca-Perú. El experimento se realizó en el valle de Cajamarca (2650 msnm) en diseño de bloques completamente randomizados, con 17 tratamientos (cultivares) y tres repeticiones, sembrados a 0,90 m entre surcos y 0,40 m entre plantas. Se evaluó altura de planta, número de tallos, número y peso total de tubérculos, número y peso de tubérculos comerciales, materia seca de tubérculos y follaje (%), índice de cosecha, gravedad específica y rendimiento de tubérculos por hectárea. Los datos fueron tratados mediante análisis de varianza y prueba de rango múltiple de Tukey (p ≤ 0,05). El rendimiento de tubérculos varió de 8,2 t•ha -1 a 27,4 t•ha -1 y el promedio fue de 15,5 t•ha -1. El índice de cosecha promedio fue de 65%. Los tubérculos comerciales representaron entre 49% y 97%. Los cultivares presentaron diferencias estadísticas altamente significativas en rendimiento por hectárea, altura de planta, número de tallos, número total de tubérculos, número de tubérculos comerciales y peso de tubérculos comerciales. Nueve cultivares fueron estadísticamente similares y superiores al resto, en rendimiento de tubérculos por hectárea. Un cultivar fue superior a todos los demás, en rendimiento de tubérculos comerciales.Palabras clave: Papa criolla; grupo Phureja; rendimiento; índice de cosecha. AbstractThe objective of the research was to evaluate the yield of tubers and related variables of 17 potato cultivars of the Phureja group from the Cajamarca-Peru region. The experiment was carried out in the Cajamarca Valley (2650 masl) in a randomized complete block design, with 17 treatments (cultivars) and three replications, planted at 0.90 m between rows and 0.40 m between plants. Plant height, number of stems, number and total weight of tubers, number and weight of commercial tubers, dry matter of tubers and foliage (%), crop index, specific gravity and yield of tubers per hectare were evaluated. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple rank test (p ≤ 0.05). The yield of tubers varied from 8.2 t•ha -1 to 27.4 t•ha -1 and the average was 15.5 t•ha -1 . The average harvest rate was 65%. Commercial tubers were between 49% and 97%. The cultivars showed highly significant statistical differences in yield per hectare, plant height, number of stems, total number of tubers, number of commercial tubers and weight of commercial tubers. Nine cultivars were statistically similar and superior to the rest, in yield of tubers per hectare. One cultivar was superior to all others, in yield of commercial tubers.

Morphological variability and agronomic evaluation of maukas, Mirabilis expansa (Ruiz & Pav.) Standl. of northern Peru

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estimar el área foliar de ocho morfotipos de yacón mediante análisis de regresión lineal simple. La investigación se realizó entre los años 2014 y 2015, en el Programa de Raíces y Tubérculos Andinos de la Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca, Perú (7° 10’ 00’’ S, 78° 30’00’’ W, 2650 msnm). Se tomaron cien hojas de cada morfotipo, incluyendo hojas de los estratos basal, medio y terminal de plantas en plena oración. Las siluetas de las hojas frescas se dibujaron en papel y se midió el largo (L) y ancho mayor de la lámina (W). El área medida (o real) de la lámina se determinó con planímetro digital. Con el área medida (variable dependiente) y los valores de largo, ancho, largo al cuadrado, ancho al cuadrado, largo x ancho y largo/ancho (como variables independientes), se realizó el análisis de regresión para cada morfotipo. En todos los morfotipos, excepto en dos, las mejores ecuaciones para estimar el área foliar, fueron aquellas en donde intervino el producto de L x W. La ecuación A= 20,41 + 0,4167 (L x W) (r2 = 0,89) permitió estimar el área foliar de los ocho morfotipos en conjunto. El área del peciolo de los morfotipos en estudio signi có 15%, respecto del área total de la hoja.

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.

There are few studies on the collection and market of medicinal plants in South America and particularly in Peru. Through a review of secondary sources, information is gathered on the use and market of medicinal plants, and information is provided on the collection, collection and market of medicinal plants in the department of Cajamarca, focused on a chain of value of fresh plants (57 species) and another of dry plants (37 species), which mainly supply coastal markets. It is also reported on the collection in the first months of the COVID19 pandemic. The species come mainly from the Quechua region (2300 to 3500 masl), 51% are wild and the others are cultivated or weeds. Its main threats are mining, agricultural expansion, overgrazing, burning of natural vegetation, and over-harvesting. The monetary value of these plants is approximately US $ 804,333.64/year. In the first months of COVI19, the demand for eucalyptus, matico, chamomile and husk increased, mainly, and prices rose by more than 200%. Value chains are informal, they add minimal value to products, with the predominance of the interest of wholesale collectors.