| The economic botany of four species of tuber crops endemic to South America is given. These species, Lepidium meyenii, Oxalis tuberosa, Tropaeolum tuberosum and Ullucus tuberosus, are cultivated in the Andes mountains for food and medicine. These crops are discussed in the context of global food production, mountainous environments, crop genetic resources and Andean culture and diet. Basic data on the prehistory, reproductive biology, indigenous classification, distribution, agricultural cycle and utilization of each species are presented. The nutritional value and variability of these crops, including previously unreported essential amino acid values, are included and compared to other major crops. The known secondary compounds present in these species are discussed in relation to their medicinal uses, including new data on oxalic acid levels in Oxalis tuberosa. One of these crops, Oxalis tuberosa, is cultivated outside of the Andean range in Mexico and New Zealand. The distribution, diversity, cultivations systems and utilization of Oxalis tuberosa in Mexico are presented. Finally, global agricultural research priorities are examined in relation to the present and future conservation and utilization of Andean tuber crop germplasm. |
