Caracterización morfológica y fenología en variedades de Tropaeolum tuberosum (Mashua) de interés medicinal

Abstract

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) is a tuber from the Andes that plays an important role in the nutrition and health of the communities of the region. Although of great importance, there is no useful information on the characterization and phenology of the different varieties in the country. Therefore, in the present research the morphological characterization and phenology of six varieties of mashua were carried out. The varieties were collected in the cantons Ambato, Saquisilí and Guamote. Morphological characterization was performed taking into account qualitative and quantitative characteristics and subject to Conglomerate Analysis (AC) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). It was observed that in the qualitative variables the characteristics referring to the coloration of flowers and tubers are useful to characterize the varieties, while in the quantitative variables10 presented significant statistical differences of the material evaluated. In the phenological phases it was found that the most precocious variety was the Amarilla, while the later one was the Poza Rondador. The initial culture coefficient (Kc) is 0.51 for the 6 varieties whereas the intermediate Kc varied between 0.96 and 1.1; While the final Kc varied between 0.58 and 0.73; The remaining accessions presented intermediate values respectively. The chemical analysis showed wide variations among the evaluated varieties. This study contributes to the knowledge of the varieties of mashua in Ecuador and shows the wide variability both in the morphological aspects and in the phenology. This information could be used as a basis in decision making when selecting the material used in commercial production.