Wild potato species (Solanum sect. Petota and sect. Etuberosum) identified in protected areas of Argentina.

Abstract

Wild potato species (Solanum sect. Petota and sect. Etuberosum) identified in protected areas of Argentina. Crop wild relatives contribute to food security and sustainable environments but are increasingly threatened in their natural habitats. The global conservation strategies include ex situ (conservation outside their natural habitats) and in situ (in their natural surroundings) maintenance. The in situ conservation of wild potato species has been included as a priority in the global strategy for the conservation of crop wild relatives. As a result of the ex situ conservation implemented in Argentina for the wild potato species, germplasm and information concerning the distribution of these species in the whole country are available at the Potato Genebank of the E. E. A. Balcarce, INTA and its distribution is coincident in many cases with protected areas. With the objective of validate the presence of these species in protected areas, prospecting and collecting expeditions in these areas have been carried out, as a first step to implement the in situ conservation of these species in Argentina. The wild species identified in an important number of protected areas, are presented in this work.