Wageningen Universiteit en Researchcentrum 20 dec 2011 11:00

Locatie: Aula, gebouw 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisatie: Wageningen University

Promotor: prof.dr. R.G.F. Visser (Plantenveredeling ihb genetische variatie en reproductie)

Co-Promotor: dr. B. Vosman, dr. R.G. van den Berg

Carchi (North), Chimborazo (Center) and Loja (South) were identified as representative areas for potato diversity in Ecuador. Surveys and farmer meetings were used to describe the landrace-holders and the characteristics of the farming systems they use. The vulnerability of potato conservation varies among the study areas. Diploid, triploid and tetraploid potato landraces showed a high allelic diversity. At the tetraploid level (comprising 96 landraces) this was comparable to the variation present in an European collection of more than 800 varieties. There was no clear grouping of material collected according to study region, suggesting extensive movement of seed potatoes all over Ecuador. Characterization of genetically different landraces for late blight resistance showed variation for this trait. Most of the landraces were susceptible to moderately resistant. Varying levels of dry matter, total polyphenol and total carotenoid contents were found among Ecuadorian potato landraces, some were comparable to the improved varieties.

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Title thesis: Potato landraces: Description and dynamics in three areas of Ecuador

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