Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecorregion

CONSERVATION OF THE ANDEAN TUBER BIODIVERSITY ON FARMS OF FARMERS OF THE HUACONAS, CHIMBORAZO-ECUADOR

In Situ 2001 E-Conference
 (5 november to 17 december)

Cesar Tapia
INIAP
Ecuador

 

 

I. INTRODUCTION

The Interandean Region occupies 24% of the Ecuadorian territory with approximately 67 000 kms2it is one of the most densely populated and impoverished areas of the country; approximately 46% of the national population (4.5 million inhabitants) are settled in this region, area in which `malnutrition` affects approximately 40% of the population. 

The biodiversity of Andean tubers (TAs) as: potato (Solanum tuberosum), melloco (Ullucus tuberosus), oca (Oxalis tuberous) and mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum), in Ecuador is distributed not only in the Interandean Callejón, but also in the foothills of the Mountain Ranges Eastern and Western. In these areas there exist farmers that produce for self-consumption, although many of their production is intended for the local and national market. This variability in many cases this threatened by problems of genetic erosion, lack of support for research and to the development of methodologies in order to increase the demand or consumption. The TAs are important part of the feeding of the Andean peoples, being observed an important demand of these crops in the different regions of Ecuador. Despite this current and potential demand, the TAs except for the potato have become secondary crops and there is a continous reduction of cultivated area; these are additional causes by which the local or traditional varieties are in the process of disappearing and the production is based on few local varieties. 

The present study is found to be located in the province of Chimborazo, located in the central part of the Callejón Interadino. Occupies an area of 6 471 kms2, with a topography that goes from page to undulating and steep in some areas. This province is divided into 10 cantons: Riobamba, Alausí, Colta, Chunchi, Guamote, Chambo, Guano, Pallatanga, Penipe, and Cumandá. 

The communes of The Huaconas are within the agro-ecological area of the canton Colta with an area of 120 kms2. This sector corresponds to the area of life low montano dry forest (bsMB),with altitudes between 3400 and 3600 msnm and with precipitations that go from 250 to 550 mm per year and in active process of hidric erosion. Prospects for livestock development are god as are for crops as grains, TAs, beans, and sheep. It has black, deep and silty soils with little rain and low evapotranspiration (Table 1). The sector of The Huaconas has a rural population of 4121 inhabitants, 2092 men, and 2029 women and 18 communes in the area. They participate in the study as shown in Table 2. The geographical area of work was selected according to the following criteria: (i) importance of the TAs in the production system, (ii) degree of organization of the producers, (iii) potential of production of the area, (iv) access to the markets, and (v) institutional presence. This was done through a participatory rural diagnosis. 

 

Table 1. Characteristics of the sector of The Huaconas, Chimborazo - Ecuador

 

 

Table 2. Participating rural communities in the study of in situ conservation of TAs.

 

Commune Santa Rosa of Culluctús

This commune is 40 minutes from the city of Riobamba; off an asphalt road from Riobamba to Cajabamba. It is formed by 26 bilingual indigenous families. It has communal land and the average size of the family unit is 2.81 has. They have of piped water, electric power, a one teacher school of six grades, kindergarten, communal house, sport courts and storage silos for tuber seed. The principal crops are potato, faba bean (Vicia faba), barley, oca, melloco, and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).

 

Community San Pedro de Rayoloma

It is located to 7 kms of the parish of Sicalpa over second and third order roads. It is formed by 29 bilingual indigenous families that represent a population of 200 people. They have piped water and electric power at each home; no school in the commune but they have access to the schools of the neighborhood. They have irrigation water for one area of some 50 has. The principal crops in importance order are: potato, bean, red onion (Allium cepa), melloco, and barley.

 

Cooperative Virgin of the Nieves

This located to 5 kms from Sicalpa. Roads are second and third order. This cooperative is formed by six communes (Association Anita–122 inhabitants; Cahuiña–78; The Vaquería–243; Liglig–220; Sicalpito–452; Virgin of the Nieves–364) with a total of 680 families. They have of piped water, electric power, one teacher school with six grades, kindergarten, communal house, sports courts and storage silos. In sumary, the principal crops are red onion, potato, barley, and melloco and as selfsubsistance oca and mashua. The greatest revenues are achieved with the sale of onion and potato, when there are high prices.

II. QUANTIFICATION OF GENETIC EROSION IN COMMUNES OF THE PROVINCE OF CHIMBORAZO

 

The initial diagnosis of genetic erosion through agricultural and socioeconomic surveys and the collection of samples of tubers were carried out in communes of the province of Chimborazo. We tried to identify the degree of loss of variability in the sector of The Huaconas and its area of influence. The result of this study made it possible to have more concrete bases on the need to implement processes of in situ conservation in this sector. The surveys were conducted in 11 communes. Samples of tubers of farms of farmers were collected and compared with the available tubers from previous ex situ collections maintained in the genebank of the National Department of Plant Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (DENAREF) about 20 years ago. The tools that were utilized for this in situ and ex situ comparison were the above mentioned surveys, morphological characterization of the tuber, and molecular characterization with the RAPD's technique. In addition, we compared passport information, ethnobotanic and variability data obtained for melloco, oca, and mashua systematized in the ECUCOL database and published in the Catalog of Genetic Resources of Roots and Andean Tubers. The analysis of data shows that in the province of Chimborazo (area of influence of the study) there exists 28% of genetic erosion in melloco, 25% in oca and 34% in mashua (Figure 1). In case of melloco frosts are a limiting factor with a percentage of 40%; then lack of seed and pest attack. In oca, 40% is attributed to lack of seed, while in mashua, both poor flavour and seed lack are the principal causes (Figure 2). This erosion has caused limitations in nutritional alternatives for the families that could consume TAs.

 

Figure 1. Percentage of genetic erosion in melloco, oca, and mashua in the province of Chimborazo

 

 

Figure 2.         Frequency of the factors of genetic erosion by those which has been stopped cultivating melloco, oca, and mashua in the province of Chimborazo.

 

The RAPD's of melloco, oca, and mashua resulted in a greater number of polimorphic fragments of DNA in the samples conserved in situ  in farmer fields than in those conserved in germplasm bank of DENAREF. Thus, it is possible to state that new alleles RAPD were generated by events as substitution of nucleotides in DNA, deletions, insertions, etc., during the period elapsed since approximately 1980. This confirms the theories on the nature of the in situ conservation: this methodology permits the continuation of the evolutionary and coevolutivos processes under the action of the natural and man made selection, which are  responsible mechanisms for creating and enriching the genetic diversity in the ecosystems. In contrast, these processes tend to “stop” ( freeze) under ex situ methodologies.

 

III. LOCAL INVENTORY

Currently, the conservation at the level of farms of farmers (in situ) in Ecuador is carried out basically by the indigenous communes, with small and perhaps scattered efforts on the part of other actors. If the capacity of the farmers and of the local organizations is strengthened, the conservation of the genetic resources would be increased at the farm, improving life for farmers and ensuring the food security of the future generations. It is undeniable that the conservation of the agrobiodiversity should be carried out through participatory activities in the agricultural community, taking into account economic profitability, environmental functionality, and social equity. In the present study, the local inventories, the conservation exhibitions, the community banks of seeds and the participatory selection in TAs in the grassroots organizations are considered valid experiences for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of the same. However, more initiatives require more collaboration between institutions from the formal sector with the informal sectors such as community organizations and the Ecuadorian society in general.

Conservation based on active participation of the farm family. They maintain traditional varieties or crop systems and require a series of activities such as: the study of biology of populations, socioeconomic studies, market studies, participatory improvement in farms, local inventories and the definition of microcentra of diversity and conservationist farmers.

Based on the high genetic erosion data for TA's in 1999 we carried out an inventory of variability in the identified microcenter (sector of The Huaconas) through participatory diagnosis in three communes. We found 40 traditional cultivars of potato, melloco, oca and mashua (Table 3), with greater number of ecotipos in oca (15) and melloco (13) (Figures 3, 5). The present variability does not reflect the one found 20 years ago, specially in mashua (Figures 4, 6). In 2001 a considerable increase of the variability is observed from 25 to 342% in the three communities. This is due to the exchange in the Exhibitions for Seed Conservation which we used as a strategy. These exhibitions included communes of this sector and the province of Chimborazo. Additionally in Santa Rosa of Culluctús we reintroduced TA's from the ex situ genebank. In case of native potato varieties the substantial increase in Rayoloma is the result of recovery by farmers themselves without intervention of the germplasm bank (Table 3 and figure 4).

 

Figure 3. Present cultivars of melloco in 1999 and in the 2001 in three communities of the sector of The Huaconas

Figure 3. Present cultivars of melloco in 1999 and in the 2001 in three communities of the sector of The Huaconas

 

Figure 4. Native potato cultivars present in 1999 and in the 2001 in three communities of the sector of The Huaconas

 

Figure 5. Present oca cultivars in 1999 and in the 2001 in three communities of the sector of The Huaconas

 

Figure 6. Present mashua cultivars in 1999 and in the 2001 in three communities of the sector of The Huaconas

 

IV. ELEMENTS OF AGROBIODIVERSITY

The biodiversity of TAs is rich in the Andean region. This is closely related to the cultural and ethnobotanic wealth in each agroecosystem. In the sector of The Huaconas several common names are utilized to identify different cultivars (Table 4). Thus in communes under study, geographically nearby, there are similar common names for several ecotypes, with a great influence of Spanish in the denomination related to tuber color of melloco, oca and mashua. There is also a combination of the mother tongue (quichua) and Spanish. For example in melloco, 18 types are known with names in Spanish language and 7 with names quichuas; in native potato varieties a majority of common names are in quichua. 

This phenomenon is already observed in Peru and Bolivia where common names in the characteristic language of the area are conserved. The erosion or loss of the own names utilized in previous decades is mainly due to the great geographical, social, economic, and cultural influence that the communes have with the urban area. The mother tongue is spoken less and less by present generations.

 

Table 4. Common names utilized in three communities of the sector of The Huaconas

The different ecotypes in the three communes can to disagree on the basis of the common names, the morphological characterization based on tuber form, principal color, secondary color and its distribution and color of pulp and the molecular characterization (RAPD's). (Table 5).

 

Table 5. Discriminating characters used to differentiate ecotipos in three communities of the sector from The Huaconas

 

 

The dynamic of the variability of TAs (presence–absence) in the Andean region is very special. Several ecotypes are very frequent during many agricultural cycles in the seeding, harvest, storage and in sale. Other types that are frequent and rare appearing and disappearing in several cycles and in different stages of production. In Ecuador, it has been possible to monitor during the three years in Las Huaconas. In Santa Rosa of Culluctús at melloco harvest there are two very frequent ecotypes (pink and yellow), seven frequent and six rare. In oca, two ecotypes are very frequent (squash and "ronches"), six frequent and three rare; and in mashua ecotypes are intermittent as four ecotypes are frequent, one is the best known, named squash. The Native potato "Ayamarco" is very frequent in this commune, in addition there are three frequent ones and two rare (Table 6).

 

Table 6. Presence or absence of ecotipos of TAs in three years (1999-2001) to the harvest in the community of Santa Rosa of Culluctús

 

In San Pedro de Rayoloma there is great variability of native potato varieties and limited presence of ecotypes in mashua and melloco. In melloco there is only one very frequent ecotype (pink), four frequent, and one rare. The oca variability is appreciable with two very frequent genotypes (white and ronches), seven frequent, and five rare; in mashua, yellow is very frequent, and one rare. For native potato varieties, Rayoloma has more variability with chilca being very frequent (chilca), 13 frequent and five rare (Table 7).

Table 7. Presence or absence of ecotipos of TAs in three years (1999-2001) to the harvest in the community of Santa Pedro de Rayoloma

The Cooperative Virgin of the Nieves is formed by a large number of families (680). There is little variability of genotypes in oca, mashua and native potato due to the use of improved varieties of potato. This led to stop planting primitive cultivars of TAs, giving special importance the yield and not to sustainability. In the six communes that form this Cooperative there are two very frequent ecotypes of melloco (pink and pink round caramel), four frequent and six rare; in oca three are very frequent (ronches, yellow and white), one frequent and five rare. In mashua there are two ecotypes, yellow and yellow squash as very frequent and frequent, respectively; for potato there exist three ecotypes, chilca, Santa Rosa, and tunca with the three categories, respectively (Table 8).

This information on the presence and absence in time of variability of TAs makes it possible to follow in the process of quantification of the genetic erosion, the formulation of strategies of conservation for the intervention in these communities through exhibitions of seeds (exchange and recovery of variability), reintroduction of cultivars from the ex situ to this sector, community banks, etc.

 

Table 8. Presence or absence of ecotipos of TAs in three years (1999-2001) to the harvest in the Cooperative Virgin of the Nieves

 

V. USES AND DESTINATION OF PRODUCTION

The preservation of TA's in indigenous communes of the Andean region is an arena to test the hypothesis “the more use, the more conserva”. The communes only conserve sustainably cultivars that they truly use for medicine , food, condiment, etc. This study to be carried out in the 3 countries monitors variability of the different Andean tubers from the seeding, harvest, storage, home processing, market sale and in local fairs. It is hoped that this information will permit after several years to corroborate that only materials used can give the necessary sustainability for in situ conservation of TAs. In Ecuador, product destination can be observed in table 9. The production of melloco in the communes divides itself in 20% is for family consumption, 10% for unselected seed, 60% for sale in Sunday at the local fair of Cajabamba. There two things can happen, one, the purchase by end-consumers; and second, purchase by intermediaries for the sale in the urban markets such as San Alfonso and La Condamine of the city of Riobamba. The remaining 10% is utilized for processing into marmalades to be sold at local fairs. The red, colored varieties are for personal consumption while pink, caramel, Gallo, and quillu for sale and processing. One alternative is to emphasize the use of quality seed, which implies greater production for these destinations mentioned. (Figure 7).

In oca, is similar to melloco, but it is used more for personal consumption (white and puka) and home processing. If send to the market oca (squash and ronche varieties) should be sweetened by exposure to the sun (Figure 7).

 

Figure 7. Destination of the production of melloco and oca of three communities of the sector of The Huaconas

 

 

VI. USE BY DESTINATION

Primitive cultivars of TAs of a farm family (Family Cuji) were monitored by carrying out a survey at different times during seeding, harvest, classification, storage, processing, consumption and sale . Figures 8 and 9 show the results.

In the agricultural cycle of 2000 planted in October 90 kg four types (squash, yellow, white and red) of oca, in addition to melloco, potato, barley, and red onion. Harvest carried out in July average yields of 1600 kg. These were destined to self consumption, market sale and home processing. The classification of the harvested tubers consists in separating the healthy and the non-healthy (broken and spoiled); 30% of healthy go directly to the sale in the local fairs; the non-healthy are utilized to feed younger animals and the healthy enter the storage bins being utilized for tuber seed and oca sweetening. The yellow, white and red of the stored tuber remains being sweetened since July until August and the squash is used for seed of July to October. In the month of September, once sweetened 40% is utilized for fried, and "cariucho" consumption in the form of soups, (cooked and stewed oca) and 20% is processed as marmelades or pies for the sale in neighboring communities, members of the community and local fairs (Figure 8).

 

Figure 8. Destination of the genetic variability of oca on the farm of farmer in the Cooperative Virgin of the Nieves during the cycle agricultural 2000

 

 

The monitoring of the cultivars of melloco on the same farm is very similar to oca with the differences that they planted 45 kg of four ecotipos (yellow, caramel, Gallo lulu and pink), harvesting an average of 750 kg. 10% is utilized for seed and is stored it in storage bins; of remaining 90%, 60% (caramel, pink and Gallo lulu) is sold directly between July and August in the local fairs, 20% (yellow) is consumed in soups, salads and cariucho; and, 10% is processed as espumilla and marmalade is sold among the members of the community, neighboring communities and local fairs (figure 9).

 

Figure 9.Destination of the genetic variability of melloco on the farm of farmer in the Cooperative Virgin of the Nieves during the cycle agricultural 2000  

 

VII. INTERVENTIONS

1. Exhibition of Variability of TA's Tubers (Ferias de Semillas)

 

These events have been carried out consecutively in the canton Colta (Cajabamba) in a strategic partnership between INIAP and the Municipio of Colta sinced 1999. They are sought to help to identify the species and varieties cultivated by the participating farm families and communes order to promote the exchange of germplasm, to characterize qualitatively and quantitatively the agricultural diversity of a specific year, and to compare the results from previous and later fairs. The fairs constitute then an event of convocation whose results are the “thermometer” of the genetic variability for the specified microcenter. Participants are communes and other actors of the agricultural sector of Chimborazo province. Formats are used to quantify and systematize the entries. The evaluation is done by outside judges in charge giving out symbolic prizes to participants showing variability. This is an incentive to the effort of conservation made during decades. Table 9 shows participation in the 3 Ferias.

 

Table 9. Participation of agricultural communities in the Fairs of Conservation of Seeds of 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Category

I Fair - 1999 II Fair–2000 III Fair - 2001
Number of participants 115 281 307
Number of communities 23 44 29
Number of communities of the sector The Huaconas 7 8 9
Gender participation 54% men 46% women 56% men 44% women 60% men 40% women

 

In the three fairs, the participation of women and men was very similar, noting the important role of the women in the conservation and management of TAs. Seed selection carried out by the women is a continuous activity and begins at the time in which the crop flourishes. Working in the fields, they observe the plants and decide what to select; they identify plants of good quality based on their size, tuber formation and resistance to pests and diseases. In order to cover the frost risk, the women select sufficient seed and carry out the seeding at different times. They decide on what storage method should be used. It was observed that in the three fairs there participated a common group of farmers, they had an increase of variability during the third event, had acquired greater experience and confidence about the agrobiodiversity that they had on their farms, and they exchanged seeds with others farm families. It is thus possible to identify a group of farmers with greater aptitude to maintain native variability. These are called “conservationist farmers”. Their noteworthy characteristics are: tradition from parents or grandparents; marked interest to maintain the diversity through the exchange or the search of missing cultivars; knowledge of certain conservation strategies, such as seeding in several altitudinal floors; the use of seed mixtures; and, generosity, talent and leadership.

In tables 10, 11 and 12, the potential conservationist farmers identified in the three fairs are shown. In 1999, Francisco Guaspa of Aguaspamba presented the greatest cultivar variability with 17 cultivars (nine of native potato varieties and eight of melloco). Juan Morocho of Huacona San Isidro showed 16 cultivars. There were a maximum of nine cultivars of native potato, eight of melloco, six of oca and two of mashua. In 2000,the variability in the four tuber species was much greater. There were 13 types of native potatoes, seven of melloco, nine of oca and five types of mashuas. Fifty % of the conservationist farmers belong Las Huaconas and the remaining to miscellaneous communes of Chimborazo. In 2001, there was a noticeable influence of the project in the communes of Las Huaconas. They had more variability of the four tuber species and all the conservationist farmers identified are from this sector. Mr. Patajalo of the community of San Pedro de Rayoloma presented 53 ecotipos, twice as much as anyone in 2000.

 

Table 10. Farmers who exhibited the greatest variability of TAs in the I Fair of Conservation of Seeds.

Farmer

Community Cultivars Total
Francisco Guaspa Aguspamba Native potato: 9 Melloco: 8 17
Juan Morocho Huacona San Isidro Native potato: 6 Melloco: 5 Oca: 4 Mashua: 1 16
Nicolasa Yambay Huacona San Isidro Native potato: 6 Melloco: 4 Oca: 2 Mashua: 1 13

 

Table 11. Farmers who exhibited the greatest variability of TAs in the II Seed Conservation Fair

Farmer

Community Cultivars Total
Juan Pilco Rayoloma Native potato: 11 Melloco: 5 Oca: 7 Mashua: 3 26
José Ñamiña Llagllay Native potato: 13 Melloco: 7 Oca: 4 Mashua: 2 26
Manuel Macas Huacona San Isidro Native potato: 9 Melloco: 6 Oca: 4 Mashua: 3 22
Jacinto Town Santa Rosa of Culluctús Native potato: 7 Melloco: 3 Oca: 7 Mashua: 5 22

Table 12. Farmers who exhibited the greatest variability of TAs in the III Seed Conservation Fair

Farmer

Community Cultivars Total
Juan Alberto Patajalo Rayoloma Native potato: 23 Melloco: 10 Oca: 9 Mashua: 11 53
Lucia Azacata Pucha Santa Rosa of Culluctus Native potato: 12 Melloco: 11 Oca: 9 Mashua: 10 42
Hugo Alberto Huamán Rayoloma Native potato: 19 Melloco: 9 Oca: 6 Mashua: 7 41
María Lucía Pucha Pucha Santa Rosa of Culluctús Native potato: 10 Melloco: 11 Oca: 9 Mashua: 8 38
 

On the basis of the data obtained through the quantification of the genetic erosion of TAs and of seed exhibition Las Huaconas was corroborated as a microcenter for in situ conservation activities. Intervention promoted are the exchange of seeds and the reintroduction of variability from the ex situ bank.

 

Table 13. Speakers by crop in the three fairs of seed conservation

 

Crop

 No. of speakers

1999 2000 2001

Native potato

Melloco

Oca

Mashua

56 58 67 57 242 190 78 171 242 237 264 186

 

The influence of the market threatens agrobiodiversity due to its own nature that is selective and reduces diversity. It has evolved in the dangerous direction to eliminate these less utilized Andean crops. In Las Huaconas, the mashua--as it demonstrates it studies of quantification of genetic erosion--is disappearing since its use is confined to few elderly farm families for self consumption and without current economic projections in the market. Hence there is a need to explore and promote alternative uses for example in the medicinal area for secondary metabolites, and utilization of isothiocianates, etc.).

 

2. Reintroduction of germplasm and information of TAs; and interrelationship between the bank former situ and the conservation in indigenous communities

Some advances are occurring in the country in order to define the steps to set up a comprehensive program of in situ conservation. The beginning approach and success of a program depends basically on two elements: in situ should be complementary to the ex situ conservation strategy. It should also be politically viable in that it should share the objectives of sustainable development. This is translated into an increase in the income of the farm. Similarly, the philosophic basis of economic profitability, environmental functionality, and social equity are important components in the in situ conservation actions. The reintroduction of germplasm from the ex situ bank located in the INIAP-DENAREF, Quito was done after we identified sites or communes through a diagnosis of the region, through meetings with farm families farmers, and considering the study on genetic erosion previously described. Taking this into consideration we selected three communes in order to establish in communal land experimental gardens for introduction and conservation.

 

a. Conservation gardens

An approach to participatory plant breeding using local varieties as the source of genetic material for the crop improvement, symbolizes a balance between the two objectives: that of maintaining diversity genetic in situ and that of improving the variety according to the needs of the farmers. Usually, the plant breeders have underestimated, or been unaware of, the ability of the farmers and their knowledge of the improvement. However, farmers, have their own selection criteria in order to evaluate new cultivars. These can be applied on experimental lots (gardens).

We planted with farm families of the three communes, the following material : Santa Rosa of Culluctús, 30 morphotypes (samples with similar morphology) of melloco, 30 of oca and 28 of mashua; in San Pedro de Rayoloma, 20 morphotypes of mashua; and in Virgin of the Nieves, 20 morphotypes of oca and 20 of mashua. Each morphotype was planted in an area with 10 m long and 1 m wide. A minimum list of descriptors (variables to be taken) was defined for the characterization and participatory evaluation with farmers.

Figure 11 shows illustrates the key steps and the roles of the farmers and researchers in the process of characterization and evaluation participatory of the morphotypes as carried out in the three communes. Participants were 16 farmers from Santa Rosa of Culluctús; 15 farmers from San Pedro de Rayoloma and 20 farmers from Virgin of the Nieves. It is worth also indicating that some of these materials existed years previously in the sector.

 

Figure 11. Participatory selection of agrobiodiversity of TAs and its ties with the in situ conservation and former situ.

 

 

b. Monitoring morphotypes reintroduced from the ex situ bank to the communes.

Monitoring was done once a year by registering and counting the existing varieties (both own and reintroduced) of each farm family. Figure 12 shows the amounts. In Santa Rosa of Culluctús the number went down from 24 to 10. It will be necessary to continue monitoring during the following years in order to analyze the (s) trend (s) (Figure 12). 

 

Figure 12. Monitiring of morphotypes reintroduced from the ex situ bank to the commune of Santa Rosa of Culluctús

 

 

VIII. LESSONS LEARNED