ABSTRACT
The Andean region shelters a wide variety of root and tuber species that, over hundreds of years, have developed a broad diversity. The varied ecosystems of this region and cultural inheritance of conservation from the Inca civilization, have enhanced this biodiversity. In recent years, however, these crops have been grown in environments that are increasingly undergoing changes in farming and land use, and changes caused by rural development. Such changes placed Andean root and tuber species at risk, and exposed them to genetic erosion. For this reason, in 1971 the International Potato Centre (CIP) assumed a mandate to safeguard these genetic resources. In the early years, CIP scientists and researchers worked on potato, then on sweet potato. In recent years the centre has assumed the responsibility of protecting nine other Andean root and tuber species. CIP is working on the establishment of a complete genetic pool for each species, through germplasm collections. Cultivated and wild species are maintained in the field, in vitro, and as botanical seed, including those of potato (Solanum tuberosum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), oca (Oxalis tuberosa), mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum), yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia), arracacha (Arracacia xanthorhiza), maca (Lepidium meyenii), achira (Canna edulis), mauka (Mirabilis expansa) and ajipa (Pachyrhyzus ahipa). In this way biodiversity is protected against dangerous agents and at the same time an extensive collection of germplasm is available as a source of desirable traits for breeding.
