Conserving the genetic diversity of Bolivian wild potatoes

Abstract thesis Ximena Cadima Fuentes (to be defended on 8 Dec 2014): Conserving the genetic diversity of Bolivian wild potatoes The wild relatives of potatoes (Solanum sect. Petota) form the genetic reservoir for the improvement of the cultivated potato. Bolivia harbours 39 wild taxa of these wild potatoes, 21 of which are endemic species. This study aimed to evaluate to what level the current ex situ and in situ management efforts have conserved the genetic diversity of Bolivian wild potato species, and what recommendations can be formulated for improvement. The current conservation status of Bolivian endemic wild potato species was assessed using both the globally accepted IUCN criteria and a methodology developed within the framework of the UNEP/GEF-Crop Wild Relative Project (CWR Project). These two methods led to different estimates of threat status for some of the species. Spatial analysis allowed to distinguish eight priority areas for in situ conservation of the 21 Bolivian endemic wild potato species. These areas represent a high concentration of endemic species and have a relatively low level of threat, but only one of them has a conservation status. This is a first step to direct the conservation efforts for wild potato species. The genetic stability and diversity of material from different species under ex situ management was evaluated using microsatellite markers. The analysis was performed on accessions that went through a process of seed regeneration and multiplication during ex situ conservation. Genetic changes between different generations of ex situ germplasm were observed for the majority, but not all, of the investigated species. Potential causes of these changes include genetic drift and contamination resulting from human error during regeneration. The populations generated under ex situ conditions were also compared with re-collected in situ populations from the same location or area as the original collection. The results showed highly significant differences in all cases. Potential causes for these differences are changes during ex situ maintenance, sampling effects during collecting and in situ genetic change over time. The integrated conservation of Bolivian wild potatoes requires a combination of in situ and ex situ activities. The principle recommendation for the in situ conservation is to move from a passive to an active approach, where conservation areas are prioritized, conservation plans are designed according to the type of area (protected area or agro-ecosystem) and local stake holders are involved. To make sure that ex situ material provides a good representation of the in situ genetic variability, regular re-collecting of species with few accessions (and therefore less variability), endangered in situ, and with known or potential favorable traits is necessary. Gene bank management procedures should follow the FAO gene bank standards and this should be monitored by a national body responsible for genetic resources. And finally, periodic monitoring of the genetic integrity should be implemented as part of good practices during regeneration procedures in order to detect possible changes and to help combat human errors. </p

Definición de repertorios de cultivares de papa para agricultores altoandinos en un contexto de cambio climático

In Bolivia, in the Andes region, the potato is the main crop. Nearly 200.000 families grow potatoes in more than 170.000 ha annually. The seed used for planting comes in about 97% from the traditional system, that is, from small farmers in the highlands who provide non-certified seed. Although this system also manages diversity, its greatest weakness is a decrease in the quality of the seed (both genetic and phytosanitary). To improve the processes of definition of cultivars for seed production, and thus ensure the availability of greater diversity of the crop in terms of quality seed, to complement both formal and informal systems, we worked on developing a definition of portfolios of potato cultivars in a context of climate change using information from different levels and attributes in a set of 37 cultivars, which were analyzed through a Factor Analysis for Mixed Data. The analysis allowed identifying trends of groups of cultivars that respond to the needs and preferences of farmers associated with environmental conditions, agronomic preferences, market and cultural valuesEn Bolivia, en la región de los Andes la papa es el principal cultivo, en el que están involucrados cerca de 200.000 familias, que cultivan papa en más de 170.000 ha anualmente. La semilla utilizada para esta siembra proviene en un 97% del sistema tradicional, es decir de los pequeños agricultores de zonas altas, que proveen semilla no certificada. Aunque este sistema también maneja diversidad, su mayor debilidad es la disminución de la calidad de la semilla (tanto genética como sanitaria). Para mejorar los procesos de definición de cultivares para la producción de semilla, y asegurar así la disponibilidad de una mayor diversidad del cultivo en forma de semilla de calidad que podría complementar tanto a los sistemas formales como informales, se trabajó en el desarrollo de un enfoque de definición de repertorios de cultivares de papa en un contexto de cambio climático utilizando información de diferentes niveles y atributos de un set de 37 cultivares, los cuales fueron analizados mediante un Análisis de Factores para Datos Mixtos. El análisis permitió identificar, tendencias de grupos de cultivares que respondan a las necesidades y preferencias de los agricultores asociadas a condiciones medioambientales, preferencias agronómicas, de mercado y valores culturale

Caracterización de los semilleristas tradicionales de papa en Bolivia

The potato is strategic for food sovereignty and the economy of thousands of families inthe Bolivian Andes who are dedicated to the production of this crop. The traditional seed system provides more than 90% of the seed required for potato cultivation in Bolivia, and also a larger variety of varieties than the formal seed system offers. Farmers in charge of traditional potato seed production are usually farmers who stand out from other growersin personal aspects, but also because of their accessibility to ecological and productive environments that allow them to produce quality seed. Seed growersalso act on the basis of incentives, which are not necessarily monetary and that are changing according to the context and environmental, social, economic and political environment, which also influence the perspectives (threats and opportunities) of the seed farmer of the Bolivian Andes. This document reviews these aspects that characterize traditional potato seed producers and a reflection of what needs to be reinforced is suggested so that seed growers cancontinue with their workLa papa es un alimento estratégico para la soberanía alimentaria y la economía de miles de familias de los Andes bolivianos que se dedican a la producción de este cultivo. El sistema tradicional de semilla es el que provee más del 90% de la semilla requerida para el cultivo de la papa en Bolivia, y de un portafolio mayor de variedades que el que ofrece el sistema formal. Los agricultores encargados de la producción tradicional de semilla de papa, son por lo general agricultores que se destacan de otros productores en aspectos personales, pero también por su accesibilidad a entornos ecológicos y productivos que les permiten producir semilla de calidad. Los semilleristas también actúan en base a incentivos, que no son necesariamente monetarios y que van cambiando de acuerdo al contexto y entorno ambiental, social, económico y político, lo cual también influye en las perspectivas (amenazas y oportunidades) del agricultor semillerista de los Andes bolivianos. En este documento se hace una revisión de estos aspectos que caracterizan a los semilleristas tradicionales de papa y una reflexión de lo que se necesita reforzar para que continúen con su labo

Endemic wild potato (Solanum spp.) biodiversity status in Bolivia: Reasons for conservation concerns

Crop wild relatives possess important traits, therefore ex situ and in situ conservation efforts are essential to maintain sufficient options for crop improvement. Bolivia is a centre of wild relative diversity for several crops, among them potato, which is an important staple worldwide and the principal food crop in this country. Despite their relevance for plant breeding, limited knowledge exists about their in situ conservation status. We used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and distribution modelling with the software Maxent to better understand geographic patterns of endemic wild potato diversity in Bolivia. In combination with threat layers, we assessed the conservation status of all endemic species, 21 in total. We prioritised areas for in situ conservation by using complementary reserve selection and excluded 25% of the most-threatened collection sites because costs to implement conservation measures at those locations may be too high compared to other areas. Some 70% (15 of 21 species) has a preliminary vulnerable status or worse according to IUCN red list distribution criteria. Our results show that four of these species would require special conservation attention because they were only observed i

Farmers' perceptions of climate change and actions taken to cope with the changes, as well as associated socio-economic information and crop diversity for the household.

5 excel sheets summarizing data from surveys carried out in Bolivia (Cochabamba and La Paz), Sarawak, India and Nepal. The surveys assessed farmers perceptions of climate change and actions taken to cope with the changes, as well as associated socio-economic information and crop diversity for the household. The purpose for collecting the data was to investigate whether there are differences between genders in the use of crop diversity to cope with climate change (Activity #2). Questions concerning the relevance of crops for adapting to climate change will be used to build a database on indigenous knowledge and resilient crops and varieties (Activity #1). Questions concerning seed sources for regular and climate change resistant crops shed some light on the effectivenss of the local seed flow for climate change adaptation (Activity #3). The datasets for Sarawak and Bolivia are complete but the datasets from Nepal and India are incomplete in that data from several sites are still being collected. Questionnaires were carried out as interviews with the farmer, typically the head of household. In Sarawak all farmers in 5 villages were interviewed. Whereas in other locations a sampling protocol was used. Surveys were performed by local partner institutions: Proinpa (Bolivia, Li-bird (Nepal), MSSRF (India), and SIAS (Malaysia)