The treasure chest of the variety of potatoes: the secret laboratory in the CIP, which prevents the loss of old varieties

The treasure chest of the variety of potatoes: the secret laboratory in the CIP, which prevents the loss of old varieties

The valuable legacy of the Peruvian potatoes

For over 5,400 years, people in the Peruvian highlands and Bolivia have been growing potatoes. Today the potato is one of the most consumed foods on every continent. To ensure that the diversity of this important plant is preserved, the International Potato Center (CIP) has set up an elaborate laboratory in Lima.

The CIP was founded in 1971 to explore potato and other and tuberculosis. Through decades of work, they have collected 4,500 types of potatoes , which corresponds to more than 90 % of all known varieties. But how do you protect this diversity?

The scientists remove part of each potato stick and cultivate it in a inclined glass tube with nutrients and a substance that promotes slow growth. These samples are kept in sterile rooms with light that is modeled on the sunlight of the highlands.

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In addition to genetics, the health benefits of the potato also play an important role. In addition to their nutrient -rich value, some purple potatoes have anti -carcinogenic and blood pressure -lowering properties . These findings must still be confirmed by clinical studies.

Finally, the expert encourages the population to reduce prejudices against potatoes and consume them in all their different varieties.

The consumption of potatoes will continue to be of great importance in the future, and the scientists at CIP will ensure that this remains so to protect the valuable legacy of the Peruvian potatoes.

- Nag