Operation Batata

1997/11/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Nekazaritza
• Ingurumena

The consumption of sweet potatoes in Arika, South America and Asia is increasing. The characteristics of this plant are very suitable to adapt to the different climatic conditions and to give abundant crops. For this reason, projects of repopulation of sweet potatoes and plantations are being promoted, very useful to balance the diet of the inhabitants of developing countries.

China is currently the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the world with about 90%. In order to expand production, the Chinese variety has spread worldwide, but the problem is that a virus has appeared that attacks the plant by chance and has left several plantations in ruins. A group of European and Chinese researchers addressed this problem about a year ago and recently it has been known that it has already yielded results in some regions.

Taking advantage of biotechnology, they have already achieved healthy plants in China and have managed to increase their production by 135%. Now, by isolating the virus that attacks the pile, they intend to treat other plant species of similar characteristics, in order to obtain more stable and fertile varieties.