CONSERVACION, PROTECCION, DIVERSIFICACION E INTENSIFICACION DE LA PRODUCCION VEGETAL

Additional index words: roots, tubers, grains, fruits, Arracacia xanthorrhiza, Polymnia sonchifolia, Canna edulis, Ullucus tuberosus, Oxalis tuberosa, Tropaelum tuberosum, Chenopodium quinoa, Amaranthus caudatus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Lupinus mutabilis, Annona cherimolia, Passiflora sp., Physalis peruviana.

1. Abstract

In line with the strategic recommendations of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture approved at the Fourth International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources (ITCPGR), Leipzig, Germany, June 1996, and of the Global Plan of Action on Food Security approved at the World Food Summit on Food Security (WFS), Rome, November 1996, the Andean Countries of Latin America (LAC) face the need to strengthen the use of modern plant biotechnology for the conservation and sustainable agricultural use of genetic resources of under-utilized crops. Advanced biotechnology such as cell and tissue culture, molecular genome analysis, plant genetic conservation activities. The Technical Co-operation Network on Plant Biotechnology (REDBIO) for the Latin American Countries, sponsored by FAO since 1990 have detected for this subregion technical constraints in terms of scarcity of human resources, limitation in technology development and use, infrastructure and lack of information/data banks on plant biotechnology. 86 six plant biotechnology laboratories from LAC (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela) are members of REDBIO. On several of these institutions there are research and transfer of technology projects, including plant biotechnology, on Andean under-utilized food crops such as arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza), achira (Canna edulis), yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia), mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum), oca (Oxalis tuberosa), ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranto o kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus), popping beans -"nuñas" (Phaseolus vulgaris), tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis), goldenberry-"capuli" (Physalis peruviana), cherimoya (Annona cherimolia) and passion -fruit (Passiflora sp.). The paper summarizes the main parameters and characteristics of 13 selected crops including the state of the art.

Micropropagation of ulluco, oca and mashua is now well developed. This technique is in vitro germplasm collections using shoot cultures and induced microtubers (Castillo, R.; Estrada, R., personal communication), from virus free clones produced by meristem tip culture and thermotherapy (Stone, 1982). In addition to isozyme fingerprinting, RAPD markers have been successfully tested to distinguish ulluco accession in CIAT through collaboration with San Marcos University of Lima (Lopez, M., personal communication). Among the Andean grains there are quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), qañiwua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) and amaranto o kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus). The seeds of amaranth contain high levels of protein and the essential amino acid lysine, which is usually lacking in plant protein. The kiwicha protein is almost comparable to milk's protein (casein) in nutritional quality, and complements the nutritional quality of foods that normally would be made from flours of corn, rice, or wheat. This makes kiwicha particularly beneficial for infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women (Lehmann, 1996). Quinoa is one of the best sources of protein in the vegetable kingdom. Experience in the United States and Europe shows that the grain is readily accepted by people who has never tasted it before. Quinoa can be grown under particularly unfavorable conditions, at high elevation, on poorly drained lands, in cold regions, and under drought (Mujica et al., 1997). Already, much has been learned about this plant, which is becoming a commercial success outside the Andes.

Other promising under-utilized crops are popping beans -"nuñas" (Phaseolus vulgaris) and tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis). These two legume crops are of much interest for the future development of Andean crops. The nuña is a variety of the common bean, the bean counterpart of popcorn. Dropped into hot oil, nuñas burst out of their seed coats. The popping is much less dramatic than with pop corn as nuñas don't fly up into the air-but the product has a delightful flavor and a consistency somewhat like roasted peanuts (National Research Council, 1989). In the case of tarwi, this lupin is one of the most beautiful crops, and its seeds are as rich, or richer, in protein than peas, beans, soybeans, and peanuts the world's premier plant protein sources (Tapia, 1997). Also, they contain about as much vegetable oil as soybeans. Tarwi has been held back mainly because its seeds are bitter. The Indians soak them in running water for a day or two, to wash out the bitterness. Recently, engineers in Peru and Chile have developed machinery for more rapid and efficient operation (National Research Council, 1989). Also, geneticists in several countries have developed sweet varieties that need little or no washing. Table 6 points out the very high export potential of quinoa and amaranth as well as the agronomic characteristics of these crops. Protein analysis, gene mapping and genetic transformation is on-going in research projects with amaranth in Mexico (Table 7).

Gene transfer techniques for quinoa, tarwi and amaranth is advanced using embryo rescue from interspecific hybrids between Lupinus mutabilis x L. hartwegii (Schaefer et al., 1989), and genetic transformation of quinoa (Komari, 1990) and amaranth transgenic plants were obtained in Irapuato, Mexico (Blanco, A., personal communication); the main trait of interest being insect resistance.

Along the Andes are found several autochthonous fruits (Table 1). Among these, relatives of raspberry and blackberry Rubus species (Rosaceae), blueberry (Vaccinium species, Rosaceae), and some small berries (Myrtus species, Myrtaceae) that are rather like mini guavas. Collectively, they represent a source of new and interesting fruits (Tapia, 1997). The Uchuva or Goldenberry is a relative of the North American husk tomato. The goldenberry (Physalis peruviana, Solanaceae) is fresh tasting and makes one of the world's finest jams. Under harsh conditions it provides a wealth of yellow, marble-sized fruits that are beginning to attract international market for their flavor and appearance. Other under-utilized fruit crops of high interest, beautifully described by Dr. N. Vietmeyer (National Research Council, 1989) are: Highland Papayas. Although the papaya is one of the premier fruits of the world, its botanical cousin (Carica species, Caricaceae) of the Andes are all but unknown. Lucuma. The lucuma (Pouteria lucuma, Sapotaceae) can be considered a "staple fruit." Unlike oranges or apples, its fruits are dry, rich in starch, and suitable for use as a basic, everyday carbohydrate. It has been said that a single tree can feed a family year-round. The fruits are often eaten fresh and are very popular in milkshakes, ice cream, and other treats; dried they store for years. The lulo or naranjilla is related to, but wholly unlike, tomatoes, this fruit (Solanum quitoense, Solanaceae) is highly esteemed in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala, but virtually unknown elsewhere. Its delicious, refreshing juice is one of the delights of the northern Andes, and it could become popular in the African and Asian tropics, where the plant could conceivably flourish. The pacae is among the most unusual of all fruit trees. The pacae (Inga species, Leguminosae) produces long pods filled with soft white puip. This pulp is so sweet that the pods have been called ice-cream beans. Not only are the fruits attractive and popular, this nitrogen-fixing tree is extremely promising for reforestation, agroforestry, and for production of wood products. Pepino. A large, conical, yellow fruit (Solanum muricatum, Solanaceae) with jagged purple streaks, pepino's mellow flesh tastes like a sweet melon. It is beginning to enter international commerce. Already gaining popularity in New Zealand and Japan, the delicate pepino seems destined to become a benchmark for fruit production. Tamarillo (Tree Tomato). Inca gardens high on the mountainsides contained small trees that bore large crops of egg-shaped "tomatoes." Today these tree tomatoes (Cyphomandra betacea, Solanaceae) remain one of the most popular local fruits. They have bright, shiny, red or golden skins and can be eaten raw or cooked or added to cakes, fruit salads, sauces, or ice cream. Their succulent flesh looks somewhat like that of the tomato, but it is tart and tangy and has a piquaney quite its own.

Of all the Inca fruits, the cherimoya (Annona cherimolia, Annonaceae) is cultivated substantially outside the Andes (Table 8). It is being grown commercially in Spain, Southern California, and a few other places. Such interest is understandable. Within the thin greenish skin of the cherimoya is a delicious, sweet, and juicy flesh with a creamy, custardlike texture. Its unique flavor tastes like a subtle blend of papaya, pineapple and banana. In vitro micropropagation of the Annonas is highly desirable to expedite the diffusion of elite trees; however, only very limited successful work has been carried out using juvenile, not mature, explants (Bassi and Cossio, 1993). Recent work at CIAT using mature explants has resulted in axillary shoot elongation on the one hand, and di novo shoot regeneration from roots and stems. While the former can provide buds for micrografting, the latter system offers potential for genetic transformation (Royero and Mejia, personal communication). A target trait for a transgenic approach in Annona is anthracnose resistance. The Passionfruits (Passiflora species, Passifloraceae) are becoming popular in Europe, North America, and other places. With its concentrated perfume and flavoring ability, passionfruit "develops" the taste of bland drink bases such as apple juice or white grape juice (National Research Council, 1989). So far, all commercial developments have been based on a single Brazilian species. In the Andes are scores of other species, some of which are reputed to be superior to the Brazilian one. An active work of germplasm characterization including the use of molecular markers is under way in CIAT and CORPOICA, Colombia (Tables 8 and 9).

Out of the wide range of Andean crops described, the fruits have so far received more attention in terms of biotechnology development; this is probably due to the economic importance of these species, particularly for export. On the one hand, tissue culture micropropagation for the production of clean planting material is well developed for the Passifloras (Kawata et al., 1995). On the other hand, molecular markers have been fully developed for the analysis of the genetic structure of Passifloras using RAPDs, RFLPs and AFLPs in CIAT through collaboration with CORPOICA, Colombia (Sánchez et al., 1996). Similarly, plant regeneration is available in several passion fruit species and used for genetic transformation of P. edulis (Manders et al., 1994); the main trait of interest being virus resistance.

2. Concluding remarks and issues for further discussion

There are several Andean species with edible grains, roots, tubers and fruits that play a major role in the Andean highland farming systems. These crops are of great economic and nutritional importance for subsistence Andean farmers, and are often used as a substitute for expensive fruits and vegetables in the diet.

Both, the Global Plant of Action for Plant Genetic Resources approved at Leipzig, Germany in 1996 and the Global Plant of Action on Food Security approved in Rome, in 1996 recommended as an important global issue, to focus on the conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources as a food security key element, with very important socioeconomic implications.

the global level we are facing a tremendous scientific explosion. This explosion is due to our renewed ability to understand and manage the genetic code and its expression in living organisms. Now the identification of genes and its functions is being simplified and new mechanisms and technologies allow us to understand the molecular base at the genome. While investments in plant biotechnology are overwhelmingly high by the private sector on cash crops, a large concerted effort of public organizations from developing and developed countries is needed to prevent the biotech revolution passing by, without benefiting the Andean crops.

It is considered that returning under-exploited species to the Andean region will improve nutrition and welfare of rural poor. The Andean Countries of Latin America face the need to strengthen the use of modern plant biotechnology tools to cope genetic erosion, to reinforce ex situ and in situ gene banks and germplasm collections, to upgrade the supply of improved and healthy seed and planting materials to farmers, and to integrate a new approach into the development programs for food production and food security in mountain lands.

The state of the art of plant biotechnology in the Andean countries is still scarce and weak. Within this context the Network on Plant Biotechnology REDBIO for LAC, sponsored by FAO since 1990, have detected for this subregion technical constraints in terms of scarcity of human resources, limitation in technology development and use, infrastructure and lack of information/data bases on plant biotechnology. 86 plant biotechnology laboratories from the Andean Countries of LAC (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela) are members of REDBIO. On several of these institutions there is research and transfer of technology projects, including plant biotechnology, on Andean Crops like achira, arracacha, oca, quinoa, amaranth. popping beans, tarwi, cherimoya, passionfruit, goldenberry, and other Andean fruits.

There is evidence of severe genetic erosion in some root and tuber species. Large collections have been lost due to the lack of resources, or through civil strife. By protecting this genetic diversity, many national institutes are laying the groundwork for their eventual evaluation, improvement and utilization. Comprehensive sustained and biotechnology assisted program to reverse years of environmental damage across the Andes may be the last chance to rescue this fragile ecoregion from devastation.

Considering the ongoing applications and further impact of the use of advanced plant biotechnology on selected under-utilized food crops, a consortium of national and international cooperation efforts, comprising agencies, international CGIAR centers and multilateral and bilateral assistance are needed in order to cope and embark on a large coherent emergency program to rescue wild and domesticated Andean food crop species threatened with biological extinction or severe genetic weakening.

In spite of that, the research on plant breeding and crop management on under-exploited Andean crops is not new and not starting from zero level. The application of plant biotechnology for the propagation, characterization and conservation of promising genetic resources is still not significant. There are more than 20 years of fieldwork, germplasm exchanges, and international co-operation promoted by FAO and other bilateral agencies. There are important collections that are limitations in terms of budget and personnel. The academic works (thesis and publications) are abundant, but scarcely distributed on diverse topics. Till now, the Andean countries have organized 9 congresses on Andean Crops with more than 1800 participants and 700 presentations.

Against this background, a complex of national and international cooperation efforts, comprising agencies, international CGIAR centers and multilateral and bilateral assistance are needed in order to cope and embark on a large coherent emergency program to rescue wild and domestic Andean food crop species threatened with biological extinction or severe genetic weakening.

3. Acknowledgments

In order to prepare this paper we had to consolidate numerous unpublished data, papers, books and most of all personal opinions and contacts on the status of plant biotechnology applied to highland under-utilized Andean Crops. We appreciate the help of members of the network REDBIO, and we would like to thank the following people from different institutions and countries that have collaborated with the FAO Regional Office and CIAT: J. Cabra, CORBIOTEC, Colombia; A. Laignelet, CORPOICA, Colombia; R. Castillo, INIAP, Ecuador; M. Evans, NESTLE, Ecuador; R. Bressani, Univ. del Valle, Guatemala; A. Blanco, CINVESTAV, Mexico; A. Mujica, Univ. de Puno, Peru; M. Tapia, CONDESAN, Peru; M. Ghislain, CIP; A. Gutierrez, UNALM, Peru; R. Estrada, UNMSM, Peru; E. Arias, FAO/AGPC; J.P. Marathee, FAO/AGPC; P. Grifee, FAO/AGPC, and A. Paul, FAO/RLC.

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                         Tapia, 1997 and National Research Council, 1989.

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