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Growing Cassava (Manihot esculenta) in Mato Grosso, Brazil: Genetic Diversity Conservation in Small–Scale Agriculture

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Growing Cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) in Mato Grosso, Brazil: Genetic Diversity Conservation in Small–Scale Agriculture. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a tropical species that stands out as a food source for developing countries. Within an ethnobotanical and socioeconomic context, this study aimed to compare the level of genetic diversity of cassava maintained by small farmers in three municipalities of the Cuiabá Lowland in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil: Cáceres, Porto Estrela, and Santo Antônio do Leverger. This region, which is included in the center of origin of cassava, is currently undergoing profound socioeconomic changes that can have negative impacts in the on farm conservation of cassava agrobiodiversity. We characterized 211 genotypes collected in 40 households in 10 communities, using 14 microsatellite loci. High levels for the observed (H O = 0.587) and expected (H E = 0.525) heterozygosities were found, whereas most of the genetic diversity was concentrated within communities (92%). A genetic differentiation was found between the municipality of Santo Antônio do Leverger and the municipalities of Cáceres and Porto Estrela, not only due to a higher geographic distance among them, but also due to soil, climatic, and cultural factors. A different number of local varieties was observed in each municipality, while the number of unique varieties in each municipality was high, 83%, 84%, and 61%, respectively, representing an important aspect for the in situ conservation of this crop. Although local names provided by farmers were phenotypically coherent, intravarietal variability among local varieties sharing the same name was high (97%). Santo Antônio do Leverger was considered as a priority area for in situ conservation. Nevertheless, in view of the decline in local traditional agriculture systems and socioeconomic transformations in this region, public policies providing support and incentives to farmers are necessary.

Cultivo de mandioca ( Manihot esculenta ) em Mato Grosso, Brasil: conservação da diversidade genética em agricultura de pequena escala. A mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) é uma espécie tropical que se destaca como uma fonte de alimento para os países em desenvolvimento. Dentro de um contexto etnobotânico e sócio–econômico, este estudo teve como objetivos comparar o nível de diversidade genética da mandioca mantida por pequenos agricultores em três municípios, Cáceres, Porto Estrela e Santo Antônio do Leverger, na Baixada Cuiabana, Estado de Mato Grosso. Esta área está incluída no centro de origem da mandioca e vem atualmente sofrendo profundas mudanças sócio–econômicas que podem ter impactos negativos na conservação on farm da agrobiodiversidade. Nós caracterizamos 211 genótipos coletados em 40 roças em 10 comunidades, utilizando 14 locos microssatélites. Elevados níveis para a heterozigosidade observada (H O = 0,587) e esperada (H E = 0,525) foram observados, sendo que a maior parte da diversidade genética está concentrada dentro de comunidades (92%). Foi encontrada uma diferenciação genética entre o município de Santo Antônio do Leverger e os municípios de Cáceres e Porto Estrela, não apenas devido à maior distância geográfica entre eles, mas também em função de solo, clima e fatores culturais. Observou–se um número diferente de variedades locais em cada município, sendo que o número de variedades exclusivas em cada município foi elevado, 83%, 84% e 61%, respectivamente, o que representa um aspecto importante da conservação in situ desta cultura. Apesar dos nomes populares fornecidos pelos agricultores serem fenotipicamente coerentes, a variabilidade intravarietal entre as variedades locais que compartilham o mesmo nome foi alta (97%). Santo Antônio do Leverger foi considerada como uma área prioritária para a conservação in situ. No entanto, em vista do declínio dos sistemas agrícolas tradicionais e das transformações socioeconômicas na região, políticas públicas que deem suporte e incentivo aos agricultores são necessárias.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank FAPESP for their support in funding the project n° 2008/03822–3, PEC–PG/CNPq and CNPq for the scholarships granted to NFC and EAV; and the farmers for providing the genotypes for this study. This publication contains traditional knowledge associated with Brazilian biodiversity. Pursuant to Provisional Measure no. 2.186–16, from August 23, 2001, the access to this knowledge for the purposes of scientific research, bioprospecting, and technological development is subject to the prior consent of the community that detains the knowledge and permission from the Conselho de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético of the Ministério do Meio Ambiente (CGEN – process no. 02000.002717/2009–68).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Genética, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil

    N. F. Carrasco & E. A. Veasey

  2. Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil

    J. R. L. Oler, F. F. Marchetti & M. C. M. Amorozo

  3. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Campus de Cáceres, MT, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, MT, Brazil

    M. A. Carniello

  4. Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, Seção de Horticultura, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    T. L. Valle

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  1. N. F. Carrasco
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  2. J. R. L. Oler
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  3. F. F. Marchetti
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  4. M. A. Carniello
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  5. M. C. M. Amorozo
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  6. T. L. Valle
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  7. E. A. Veasey
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Correspondence to E. A. Veasey.

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Carrasco, N.F., Oler, J.R.L., Marchetti, F.F. et al. Growing Cassava (Manihot esculenta) in Mato Grosso, Brazil: Genetic Diversity Conservation in Small–Scale Agriculture. Econ Bot 70, 15–28 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-016-9331-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-016-9331-5

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