Abstract

MANRIQUE, Iván et al. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.)) seed production through controlled pollination techniques. Ecol. apl. [online]. 2014, vol.13, n.2, pp.135-145. ISSN 1726-2216.

Yacon, an Andean root crop, is a plentiful source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and phenolic compounds. Its consumption has been related to the prevention of chronic diseases (dyslipidemia and insulin resistance), colon cancer, constipation, among other properties. Yacon reproduction is eminently clonal. Mechanisms of male sterility and scarce or null viability in the seeds have been suggested in yacon, which would preclude its sexual reproduction in natural or controlled conditions. In this work, six yacon accessions (four octoploids and two dodecaploids) were cross-pollinated in order to obtain F1 hybrids and generate information about the production and viability of the seeds. A dialelic design was used, with direct and reciprocal crosses, which generated 30 F1 crosses. A total of 1 746 inflorescences were pollinated and 1 181 seeds were obtained. All crosses produced seeds, except those crosses where dodecaploid progenitors worked as female. A high value of germination (38.39%) was obtained when the seeds were scarified and planted in an organic substrate (moss and peat moss). On average it was necessary to pollinate four inflorescences to obtain one viable yacon seed. The feasibility to produce yacon seeds opens opportunities to propose studies related to the reproductive biology, test the allopolyploid origin of the yacon, obtain breeding materials and to study new strategies for the conservation and distribution of yacon germplasm.

Keywords : Hybrid; yacon; seed; pollination; octoploid; dodecaploid.

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