The black amaranth (Amaranthus quitensis Kunth) is traditionally cultivated in the Ecuadorian highlands, where it has great social, cultural and food importance for the native population, and locally it is called ataco or sangorache. Currently, there are no data on the diversity and conservation status in which the ataco landraces are found. We have evaluated the phenotypic diversity of black amaranth landraces collected at two different times (1981-1986 and 2014-2015) in three representative Andean provinces for this crop (Imbabura, Tungurahua and Cañar). Thirty agro-morphological descriptors were used, 11 quantitative and 19 qualitative. Most of the quantitative traits showed high levels of variation, especially grain yield per plant. The qualitative traits showed less diversity, although the characters related to the plant pigmentation and the shape and attitude of the inflorescence were significantly discriminating between accessions from different provinces. Few significant differences were detected between both collects, so the farmers seem to be carrying out adequate on-farm conservation of the ataco germplasm. The agro-morphological information obtained in this study may be useful for enhancing the use of this plant genetic resource in future amaranth breeding programs, as well as for effectively managing the black amaranth collection from Germplasm Bank of the Ecuadorian National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIAP).

In order to assess the potential of 192 accessions of Capsicum L., from 21 countries, a morphological and agronomic characterization was carried out by applying 57 qualitative and quantitative descriptors. Multivariate analyses identified two large groups: the first including C. annuum (G3, G5, G7 and G8) and the second C. frutescens, C. baccatum, C. chinense and C. pubescens (G1, G2, G4, G6 and G9). The discriminant qualitative descriptors were the colour of the corolla, the colour of the anthers and position of the flower. The quantitative discriminant characteristics were length, weight and width of the fruit. The participatory selection identified 15 materials by colour, aroma, texture, flavour, size and thickness of fruits. Chemical analyses determined the highest concentration of flavonoids in the accessions 10,757 (16.64 mg/g) and 15,661 (15.77 mg/g). Accessions 17,750 (11.68 mg/g) and 10,757 (11.41 mg/g) presented the highest polyphenol contents. The highest capsaicin concentration was recorded in accessions 16,209 (55.90 mg/g) and 10,757 (48.80 mg/g). The highest antioxidant value was recorded in accessions 17,750 (90.85 mg/g) and 15,661 (87.03 mg/g). All these characteristics are important with a view to increasing industrial use and genetic improvement processes. These results show the existence of significant genetic variability within the genus Capsicum.

Ecuador  tiene  gran  diversidad  genética  de  maíz  con  36  razas,  seis  de  las  cuales  no  están  bien definidas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar morfológicamente 129 accesiones provenientes de la zona norte de la Sierra de Ecuador, a fin de contribuir a la conservación de la agrobiodiversidad. Para la caracterización morfológica se utilizaron siete descriptores cualitativos y ocho cuantitativos. La similitud entre las accesiones se analizó con el agrupamiento de Ward y la distancia con el coeficiente de Gower. Se calculó el estadístico Chi-cuadrado (X2), el coeficiente de Cramer (V) y el de contingencia (P) para identificar descriptores  cualitativos  más  discriminantes  y  el  índice  D  de  Engels,  para cuantitativos. Los análisis se realizaron con el programa SAS. El análisis de agrupamiento identificó cuatro grupos con las razas Morochón y Chulpi agrupadas en dos (G2 y G4, respectivamente). Las variables tipo de grano y forma de superficie del grano fueron las más discriminantes. Mayormente se  observó  accesiones  con  tipo  de  grano  semidentado  y  forma  de  semilla  puntiaguda.  La  variable longitud de mazorca fue la más discriminante, con promedios que estuvieron desde 11,15 ± 2,46 a 13,72 ± 2,83 cm. La Sierra norte se debe priorizar como área de conservación por encontrarse alta diversidad de razas de maíz. Palabras clave: agrobiodiversidad; análisis cualitativo; análisis cuantitativo; descriptores

Ecogeographic characterization of Melloco (Ullucus tuberosus C.) in the high Andean region of Ecuador Resumen El estudio se llevó a cabo en la región alto Andina del Ecuador, utilizando la colección nacional de Melloco (Ullucus tuberosus C.), perteneciente al Banco Nacional de Germoplasma del INIAP. El objetivo fue evaluar las características de los sitios de colecta, identificar rangos climáticos y ecosistemas favorables o marginales para el cultivo. Para la caracterización se utilizó información geo-referencial de puntos de colecta y 13 variables climáticas, geofísicas y edáficas. Se generó un Mapa de Caracterización Eco-geográfica del Terreno Específico (mapa ELC) aplicando la herramienta CAPFITOGEN y estadística descriptiva. Como resultados se identificaron categorías que establecen los rangos adaptativos en el cultivo, con 22 categorías definidas por el mapa ELC y el 39% (73) de las accesiones fueron colectadas en las categorías con rangos de temperatura de 11 ºC a 13 ºC, bajo contenido de materia orgánica, pendiente ligeramente inclinada, suelo franco arenoso, poco profundos y un pH moderadamente ácido. Las variables ambientales para las categorías más frecuentes presentaron valores promedios de temperatura entre 5 - 20 °C, una precipitación que oscila entre 379 - 3764 mm, con un rango de altitud entre los 1800 - 3800 msnm, pendiente de 8 - 9° y un pH de 5,7. Los mapas de caracterización eco-geográfica resultaron de utilidad para identificar zonas adecuadas para el melloco y otros tubérculos andinos en Ecuador, y conocer los rangos eco-geográficos para dicho cultivo. Palabras clave: Adaptación de las plantas; Biodiversidad; Conservación de recursos; Mapa; pH. Abstract The study was carried out in the high Andean region of Ecuador using the National collection of Melloco (Ullucus tuberosus C.), which belongs to the National Germplasm Bank of INIAP. The objective was to evaluate the characteristics of the collection sites, identify climatic ranges and favorable or marginal ecosystems for cultivation. For the characterization, georeferential information of collection points and other climatic, geophysical and edaphic variables were used. An Eco-geographic Characterization Map of the specific Land (ELC map) was generated applying the tool CAPFITOGEN and descriptive statistics. As results, categories that establish the adaptive ranges in the crop were identified, with 22 categories defined by the ELC map. 39% (73) of the accessions were collected in the categories with temperature ranges from 11ºC to 13ºC, low content of organic matter, slope slightly inclined, sandy loam soil, shallow and a pH moderately acidic. The environmental variables for the most frequent categories presented average values of temperature between 5 – 20ºC, a precipitation that oscillates between 379 – 3764 mm, with an altitude range between 1800 – 3800 masl, slope of 8 – 9º and pH of 5.7. The eco – graphical characterization maps were useful to identify suitable areas for melloco and other Andean tubers in Ecuador, and to know the eco – geographic ranges for the studied crop. Keywords: Plant adaptation; Biodiversity; Resources conservation; Maps; pH.

In Ecuador, the maize is the most important cultivation in surface and it is a base of the feeding for the rural population who lives in the Andes. In contrast to what it happens on the Coast, in the Sierra region still there are cultivated numerous traditional varieties that are grouped into twenty-four races. Maintaining this diversity is, therefore, of great importance not only for food security, but also as a source of genes for tolerance to abiotic factors could be incorporated into modern varieties. Although part of this diversity was collected in the middle of the last century and is still preserved in various germplasm banks, it is desirable for the in situ conservation also is assured, among other reasons, because in this way the crop can continue to evolve. To be able to implement a conservation plan on farm that contribute to preserving this heritage, it is essential to identify suitable areas where to concentrate resources and know the characteristics and typology of farmer who managed the current diversity. To generate this information is the main target of this investigation and to achieve this, four studies have been carried out: (1) Analysis of the diversity at races and identification of areas of high richness of races, high morphological diversity and / or ecogeographical high diversity in the Sierra of Ecuador, (2) Identification of the profile and characteristics of farmers who conserve and manage traditional varieties of maize in the Sierra of Ecuador, (3) Analysis of local knowledge, management and use of traditional varieties of maize in the Sierra of Ecuador, and (4) Identification of areas of high diversity and low risk of loss for the conservation of maize in the Sierra of Ecuador.For the first study were visited 303 farms distributed along the Sierra and collected 636 samples that were characterized morphologically by 14 variables: 8 related to the ear (shape, length and diameter of the cob, colour, and diameter of cob and number and arrangement of rows) and 7 referred to the grain (total number of grain, colour, shape, length, width, and thickness and type of grain endosperm). In addition, the farms where the samples were taken were characterized ecogeographically through 5 climatic variables (seasonal average temperature, range of average annual temperature, minimum temperature for December, seasonal precipitation and precipitation of October), 2 geophysical (altitude and slope) and edaphic 5 (main texture of the soil, deep rock, pH, content of organic matter and fertility). From this information and techniques of geographic information systems (GIS), maps were generated for distribution by race in vector format and a map of richness of races, a map of morphological diversity and a map of ecogeographical diversity in raster format with cells of 10 km x 10 km. The results allowed observing that, over the past 60 years, it has not lost any race. Nevertheless, Canguil, Chaucho and Clavito have stopped being cultivated in some provinces with the consequent genetic erosion of the cultivati...