Old Crops in a New World: Bringing Andean Tuber Crops to the Pacific Northwest by Michelle Reers A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University University Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Botany (Honors Associate) Honors Baccalaureate of Arts in International Studies (Honors Associate) Presented November 14, 2016 Commencement December 2016 i ii AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Michelle Reers for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Botany and Honors Baccalaureate of Arts in International Studies presented on November 14, 2016. Title: Old Crops in a New World: Bringing Andean Tuber Crops to the Pacific Northwest . Abstract approved: ______________________________________________________ James Myers Though currently relatively unknown outside Latin America, Andean root and tuber crops are rapidly gaining interest elsewhere. Tubers are a major food and important sources of nutrition in South America and have potential in countries outside their center of origin. We conducted a two-part study on oca (Oxalis tuberosa), mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum), ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), and mauka (Mirabilis expansa) planting and harvesting over a two-year period to study the feasibility of cultivation and use in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). We also observed crops and interviewed key informants in Peru and Ecuador, and in the PNW concerning cultivation, loss of genetic variation and preservation efforts, and usage and perceptions. In the PNW, we also investigated commercial potential and general public knowledge and interest. Our findings suggest that these plant species will grow and produce tubers in the PNW and can also produce viable seed, which is extremely important for breeding varieties better adapted to the PNW and other similar growing regions. The loss of genetic diversity of oca, mashua, and mauka observed in Peru and Ecuador could potentially be counteracted by their cultivation and genetic improvement in the PNW, where there is an increase in cultivation, sales, and interest. iii Key Words: oca; mashua; ulluco; mauka; Oregon Corresponding e-mail address: [email protected] ©Copyright by Michelle Reers December 2, 2016 iv All Rights Reserved v Old Crops in a New World: Bringing Andean Tuber Crops to the Pacific Northwest by Michelle Reers A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University University Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Botany (Honors Associate) Honors Baccalaureate of Arts in International Studies (Honors Associate) Presented November 14, 2016 Commencement December 2016 vi Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Botany and Honors Baccalaureate of Arts in International Studies project of Michelle Reers presented on November 14, 2016. APPROVED: James Myers, Mentor, representing Department of Horticulture Kelly Thomas, Committee Member, representing International Degree Program Joan Gross, Committee Member, representing Department of Anthropology Toni Doolen, Dean, University Honors College I understand that my project will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University, University Honors College. My signature below authorizes release of my project to any reader upon request. Michelle Reers, Author vii Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Literature Review................................................................................................................ 2 History: Lost Crop of the Incas ................................................................................................................... 2 Inca/Pre-Columbian: ............................................................................................................................... 2 Post-colonization ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Plant Structure and Biology......................................................................................................................... 5 Nutritional Information ............................................................................................................................. 13 Usage and Current Cultivation .................................................................................................................. 16 Relevance .......................................................................................................................... 23 Material and Methods ....................................................................................................... 24 Materials .................................................................................................................................................... 24 Procedure ................................................................................................................................................... 25 Year One: .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Year Two: .............................................................................................................................................. 27 Definitions ......................................................................................................................................... 28 Perú/Ecuador: Interviews and Surveys .................................................................................................. 28 Pacific Northwest: Interview ................................................................................................................. 29 Subjects / Participants ............................................................................................................................... 29 Statistical Procedures ................................................................................................................................ 30 Results ............................................................................................................................... 31 Cultivation and Growth ............................................................................................................................. 31 Year One: 2014 ..................................................................................................................................... 31 Year Two: 2015 ..................................................................................................................................... 41 Ethnobotany and Economic Botany .......................................................................................................... 54 Peru and Ecuador................................................................................................................................... 54 Pacific Northwest .................................................................................................................................. 58 Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 61 Corvallis cultivation results: ...................................................................................................................... 61 Ethnobotany and economic botany: .......................................................................................................... 64 Peru and Ecuador –................................................................................................................................ 64 vii Pacific Northwest .................................................................................................................................. 65 Limitations and Future Research ............................................................................................................... 66 References ......................................................................................................................... 67 Appendix ........................................................................................................................... 71 Appendix A: Tuber Nutrition Labels......................................................................................................... 72 Appendix B: List of Common Names Worldwide .................................................................................... 74 Appendix C: List of Cultivation Method Abbreviations ........................................................................... 77 Appendix D: Tuber Measurement Complete Data Sets ............................................................................. 78 Appendix E: Mauka Seed Measurements .................................................................................................. 84 Appendix F: Tuber Survey ........................................................................................................................ 85 List of Figures Figure 1: Fasciation of yellow oca plant stems 10/27/2014 at the OSU Vegetable Research Farm .................................................................................................................. 35 Figure 2: Tuber set of oca as of 10/27/2014 at the OSU Vegetable Research Farm; a. red GHT and b. yellow GHC. ................................................................................................