CARACTERIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MICROCENTERS OF DIVERSITY FOR IN SITU GERMPLASM MANAGEMENT

Investigators : Meza, G. (UNSAAC), J. Quispe (UNSCH), J. Rea (SEMILLA), F. Terrazas (IBTA-PROINPA), A. Torrico (PIABS), R. Valdivia (CIRNMA), E. Velasco (INIA) (Programa Colaborativo Biodiversidad - CIP - COSUDE)

Editors: M. Holle (CIP); R. Valdivia

PHASE III : WORKS IN THE MICROCENTER

a) Analysis Unit Definition
The household who is the "owner" of the biodiversity and who takes determination about how to handle, use and conserve the resources becomes in analysis unit at this level. The community has the highest hierarchy .
In situ conservation dynamic is based on ART genetic material movements through the time. There are flows what are produced by the growers from the plot, household, passing through local fairs to local markets. Exchange, gifts or pay for job occurs between households of the community. Also, there is a exchange of seeds.

b) Microcenter dynamic
A proposal for monitories ART flows as a part of In Situ conservation mechanism of a microcenter should consider this following points :
Household selection what was made using an statistic sample to fit to the survey. It demanded a lot of human and material resources.
The cases analyzed that was selected few households which have biodiversity and want to collaborate.

Hierarchical Levels in the Conservation Dynamic
Three levels are considered to analyze in situ dynamic conservation :
Household Level . Figures 1-3 show cases observed from a whole flows of ART seeds. In Situ conservation begin with SOWING- HARVEST- SOWING that produce conditions to be registered and quantified . There are flows between all the family (very close relatives ). It is interesting to know about preferences to exchange this or that ART variety and the frequency it happens.
Figure 1 shows a family that carries its production to exchange it in a weekly local fair (F2). Seldom carries it to a bigger local market where the production is even sold (F1).
At the Figure 2 ,it is observed immediate self consumption and paid with seeds. Colca storage is important and must be identified. If it is known the varieties and its exchange measure could have a first step to conservation. It is usual between the poor peasants gathering the fallen seed from the ground to be used for sowing.
Selected the propagation material or the material to be used as seed for the next production campaign, they begin to processing and storing the different varieties depending on if it will be used for self consumption, weekly exchange and /or selling. They keep the seed that could be exchanged for others varieties between the growers. In Cajamarca , work is paid with seeds. In Puno the seeds are a gift. It is identified three kinds of growers : Conservationits (C) that are distinguished for its concern to maintain and increase the material from local sources. Non Conservationists (NC) maintain seeds for annual growing and in case of missing goes to the Conservationists (C).
At the community level, the flows between communities are too difficult because the long distance to the microcenter. From a community Conservationist (C) and Non Conservationist (NC) begin a flow (Figure 1) when they decide to carry seed from their homes to the weekly fair or viceversa.(Figure 3).
Communities located at a region microcenter go to different size fairs to give or take genetic material to sow in their pieces of land. Growing seasons are very important. Harvest season (April- June) when the product is used mainly to human feeding besides to be used as seed in the growing season. In growing season at dry land zones , the water distribution is critical at every time(f.e.Yunguyo case,(Valdivia, R et al, 1995).
The object at phase III is defined the analysis unit, the dynamic in and between hierarchical levels and its relations. The time required should be up to 3 production cycles