Teresa Mosquera, researcher from the National University, presented the genotypes of the Creole Phureja potato with higher nutritional quality, yields and resistance to the Phytophthora infestans parasite at the XIX Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research.
The researcher presented her project, Improving food security through the production of potatoes, at this meeting, which brings together scientists, farmers, private companies, potato breeders and members of the government sector.
In an interview with the News Agency of the National University, the Professor of the Department of Agriculture indicated that one of this project's goals was to let Colombians know the important nutritional benefits of this tuber in order to increase its consumption.
The researcher said it was essential to examine this tuber because it was a staple crop in the world. "It's the food par excellence and generates income for the families in the communities we have worked with," she said.
The study will give the country, on July 31, three cultivars of potato that have better nutritional quality, performance and quality for processing.
According to the study, this tuber may be used for the design and development of public policies related to food security, nutrition and production of quality seeds.
Mosquera said that, in order to improve the tuber, researchers had studied the collection that the National University of Colombia, which has been fundamental to the development of new potato crops, has. The researchers worked with masters and doctoral students and had support from Canadian universities, such as McGill and New Brunswick, and Nariño's NGO, Fundelsurco.
The expert expressed her pride because the National University's research on potatoes, its impacts and results were being recognized worldwide. "We've managed to have cutting edge technology and be on par with international research groups which have contributed to strengthen the institution's research."
Source: Agencia de Noticias UN