MORPHOLOGY, PHENOLOGY, NUTRIENTS AND YIELD OF SIX ACCESSIONS OF Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz y Pav (MASHUA)

Abstract

The aim of this work was to characterize the morphology, phenology, main nutrients and yield, of six accessions of mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz y Pav) from the central region of Ecuador. The trial was carried out in Cevallos-Ecuador, at 2865 m.a.s.l, single parcels were installed at each accession. The morphological characteristics observed were related to foliage, leaf, stem, flower and tuber. Also, the duration of the four phenological phases were registered; the yield; and the macronutrients of the tuber were analyzed. Analysis were carried out regarding the main components, the variance and conglomerates. The results reveal that the variables associated with the flower and tuber were the most useful for identifying the accessions. The accession Poza Rondador registered the longest duration of the cultivation cycle (282 days), the highest usage of water (Kc 1.1) and the highest content of nutrients (protein 18.25%, phosphorus 0.73% and potassium 2.3%), whilst the Yellow registered the shortest cultivation cycle (169 days) and the lowest amount of nutrients (protein 11.19%, phosphorus 0.42% and potassium 0.99%). The rest of the accessions varied between these ranges. The results suggest the need to promote the cultivation of accessions with higher content of nutrients. On the other hand, they also reveal the need to study secondary metabolites, and to identify accessions with potential to create nutraceutical foods.