Wild potato species threatened by extinction in the Department of La Paz, Bolivia

Abstract

The Department of La Paz has the largest number of wild potato species (Solanum Section Petota Solanaceae) in Bolivia, some of which are rare and threatened by extinction. Solanum achacachense, S. candolleanum, S. circaeifolium, S. okadae, S. soestii and S. virgultorum were all searched for in their type localities and new areas. Isolated specimens of S. achacachense were found in its type localities, while S. candolleanum was found in low density populations. Solanum circaeifolium was also found as isolated specimens or in low density populations in its type localities, but also in new areas. Solanum soestii and S. okadae were found in small, isolated populations. No specimen of S. virgultorum was found at all. The majority of the wild species searched for suffered the attack of pathogenic fungi. Interviews with local farmers revealed the main factors negatively affecting these species to be loss of habitat through urbanization and the use of the land for agriculture and forestry. Some 37.8% of those interviewed knew the local uses of the wild potatoes studied.