Abstract Detail

Economic Botany Section

Peralta, Iris Edith [1], Roig, Fidel Antonio [1], Galmarini, Claudio R. [1].

Origin of ancient potato clones cultivated in Tierra del Fuego (Argentina).

During the XIX century establishing orchards were part of the methods used by missionaries to convert the natives and assure their subsistence in the hard conditions of Tierra del Fuego. The first religious Mission and orchard were established in 1832 in the Navarino Island. Another Missions were founded later in the Malvinas Islands (1855), and Ushuaia (1869), where potatoes were the principal cultivated vegetable. In 1895 the city had 225 inhabitants and 3 ha of potatoes, in 1937 the population increased to 1447 and the potato crop to 9 ha. The Chiloe Island is the most probable origin of these cultivated potatoes. In 1953 three different clones found by Ruiz Leal and Roig were still cultivated in Ushuaia. Fifty years later we found the same clones cultivated by few people in home gardens. These potato clones maintained during more than one century and adapted to the high latitudes (550) of the Southern Hemisphere are a valuable and rare genetic resource, that most probably will disappear due to the drastic changes in Tierra del Fuego and need to be preserved.

1 - National University of Cuyo, Agronomy, Alte. Brown 500, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, 5505, Argentina

Keywords:
Solanum, potato clones, genetic resources.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-44
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:839