Abstract

ALVARADO GAONA, Álvaro  and  OCHOA, Lyda. LOCAL TECHNOLOGIES OF ARRACACHA (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancroft) PRODUCTION AT BOYACÁ, DEPARTMENT OF BOYACÁ. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2010, vol.13, n.1, pp.125-133. ISSN 0123-4226.

The economic support of Boyacá Municipality (state of Boyacá) is agriculture and livestock production. "Arracacha" (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) is a high value agro-alimentary and socioeconomic product. Its growing is alternately with potato in small fields by local farmers who have acquired their knowledge traditionally through generations. Due to the high market demand for some varieties like "paliverde" and "yema de huevo", as named in the region, farmers have stopped to seed other cultivars such as "blanca de tarro" and "amarilla de tarro", leading consequently to an agro-diversity loss. The objective of this study was to characterize this production system based on gathering information on cultivated varieties, agronomic management, local crop technologies, and farmers’ traditional knowledge. A participatory method through survey collection, interviews and field visits was followed. The results showed that in Boyacá there are more than seven genetic materials: paliverde, palirrusia, palinegra, yema de huevo, yucatana, blanca de tarro and amarilla de tarro, as denominated locally. They are produced in association with leguminous and maize crops or with fruit trees as Cyphomandra betacea (tomate de árbol). Pest and disease incidence is low. Root rotting (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is the most notorious disease. The yield varies between 2-4 kg/plant (total root weight). Arracacha has high agro-industrial potentials due to its nutritional characteristics and agro-industrial uses. Therefore, research to improve crop yield must be considered.

Keywords : Andean roots; agronomic management; agricultural production system; agricultural biodiversity.

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