RICULTURA
 AG L Peruvian Agricultural Research
ISSNe 2706-9397
N Homepage: http://revistas.unjfsc.edu.pe/index.php/PeruvianAgriculturalResearchJFSC 01 - DESDE 2 ©Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión, Lima, Perú
Received: April 30, 2021 / Accepted: June 15, 2021 3(1), 35-39, 2021
Short communication
New proposals to strengthen the boom of agriculture in Peru: massive use of 
genetic resources and development of modern breeding programs 
Nuevas propuestas para fortalecer el boom de la agricultura en el Perú: uso masivo de 
recursos genéticos y desarrollo de programas modernos de mejoramiento 
C. I. Arbizu1*, R. H. Blas2
https://doi.org/10.51431/par.v3i1.663 
Abstract
Peru is a place with abundant biological resources that should be employed for the benefit of society in general. 
However, to date, the use of Peruvian plant genetic resources was not fully exploited for the development of 
improved crops. This work was mostly conducted by the international private sector. The Climate Change 
Laboratory at Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, and other laboratories at Universidad Nacional José 
Faustino Sánchez Carrión and Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina together with other research programs 
of other institutions seek to promote the massive and sustainable use of plant genetic resources maintained in 
germplasm banks. It is planned to make use of modern molecular and morphological techniques. Moreover, 
infrastructure and human resources are being improved. As a result, we will be able to maintain the growth of 
the agricultural activity in Peru in terms of space and time.
Keywords: Plant genetic resources, genotype-phenotype association, molecular tools
Resumen 
El Perú es un país con abundantes recursos biológicos que conviene emplear en beneficio de la sociedad en 
general. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha, el uso de los recursos fitogenéticos peruanos no se ha utilizado plenamente 
para el desarrollo de variedades mejoradas; este trabajo ha sido implementado principalmente por el sector 
privado a nivel internacional. El Laboratorio de Cambio Climático del Instituto Nacional de Innovación 
Agraria (INIA) y otros laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión (UNJFSC) y la 
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (UNALM), junto a los programas de investigación de otros centros 
de investigación, buscan promover el uso masivo y sostenible de los recursos fitogenéticos mantenidos en los 
bancos de germoplasma; está previsto hacer uso de modernas técnicas moleculares y morfológicas, además que 
se está mejorando la infraestructura y los recursos humanos. Como resultado, podremos mantener el crecimiento 
de la actividad agrícola en el Perú en términos de espacio y tiempo.
Palabras clave: Recursos fitogenéticos, asociación fenotipo-genotipo, herramientas moleculares
1 Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Lima, Perú.
2 Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Perú.
*Autor para correspondencia: carbizu@inia.gob.pe 
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Introduction
The pandemic has marked a new stage in Peru, a center of domestication of important 
the world economy after the closure of many plants 
markets for agricultural products. There is 
sufficient evidence that the pandemic caused Currently, in all scientific meetings and 
by the COVID-19 disease had an important academic conversations about plants, it is almost 
effect on agriculture and the food supply chain, impossible not to mention Peru when talking 
mainly affecting food demand and consequently about domestication or centers of origin of crops 
food security (Siche, 2020). Recently, there is that today feed the entire world. This is explained 
information that the world recovers significantly because Peru is one of the most important centers 
as many governments announced unprecedented of plant domestication in the world, thanks to 
economic rescue packages (Seven & Yılmaz, the work of ancient Peruvian farmers, who have 
2021). The prospects for an improvement in the cultivated and used more than 150 crops in the 
global economy are revised upwards by the main last 10,000 years such as aguaymanto (Physalis 
multilateral organizations; this year we will have peruviana), caigua (Cyclanthera pedata), beans 
a 6% growth in the global economy according (Phaseolus vulgaris), potatoes (Solanum spp.), 
to the director of the Business and Economics quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and many others. 
Research Center of the Association of Exporters, However, it is almost common to see in the news 
world food imports will expand by 12% and that our farmers obtain low yields or lose their 
will reach a global record level of 1.715 trillion crops due to frosts, droughts, pests and diseases, 
dollars (Andina, 2021). affecting their family income and placing them 
in conditions of risk and vulnerability. All these 
The rapid expansion of plant breeding during problems can be overcome by doing work 
the second half of the 20th century brought similar to that carried out by Andean farmers 
the introduction of a big number of improved during the last 10,000 years, that is, by breeding 
varieties, which progressively replaced old our crops complemented by efficient agronomic 
landraces, especially in developing countries. management of each one of them. The process 
Not all the genes present in the farmers’ of domestication of plants began using wild 
varieties are also contained in modern varieties species -plants that grow freely in nature without 
(Sonnino, 2017). Access to genetic and genomic needing the care of the farmer- (Martin & 
resources can greatly facilitate the biological Sauerborn, 2013). For example, to the northeast 
understanding of plant species leading to of Camana in Arequipa (Peru), and other valleys 
improved crop varieties. While model plant of the Peruvian coast, there are wild tomatoes 
species such as Arabidopsis have had nearly that coexist with other crops and plantations 
two decades of genetic and genomic resource for human consumption. This wild tomato plant 
development, many major crop species have (Solanum pennellii) is small in size, with light 
seen limited development of these resources due green fruits and a sour taste. Recent research in 
to the large, complex nature of their genomes tomato cultivation reports that many genes of 
(Hirsch et al. 2016). Gene banks play a crucial these wild tomatoes are present in the crops that 
role in securing genetic diversity for research and farmers grow in their fields (Bolger et al., 2014).
breeding, now and in the future. The collection 
and correct classification of crop wild relatives is Agriculture has the potential to mitigate 
an important aspect of this work (van Bemmelen problems that Peru has dragged for decades, 
et al., 2021). such as unemployment and poverty, and has the 
capacity to be an economic engine that drives the 
To date, Peruvian plant genetic resources have country on a sustained basis, in parallel with other 
not been fully exploited for the development of economic sectors. For example, the agricultural 
improved crops. In this short communication, sector comprises 30% of the EAP and 6% of 
we discuss the importance and use of genetic the national GDP. Therefore, it is essential to 
resources for the establishment of modern plant continue supporting Peruvian agriculture making 
breeding programs. use of the richness in agricultural biodiversity, 
36 Peruvian Agricultural Research 3(1), 35-39, 2021
Genetic resources and development of plant breeding programs
through the study and genetic use of native and other research groups to join this initiative. In 
wild plants of Peru to later develop cultivars addition, it is helpful to interact more closely and 
that help us face the problems in agriculture and constantly with the private agricultural sector. In 
maintain a robust sector in time and space. this way, we can have a robust sector that works 
providing solutions to the constant challenges 
To date, we consider that it is necessary to that arise in the agricultural sector.
give greater importance to the development 
of modern breeding programs of key crops in It is very important that Peru maximizes the 
our country. The Peruvian agro-export sector use of its great biodiversity, studying all the 
has been in constant growth in recent years, secrets maintained in the genes of native crops 
reaching an economic value of USD 7 billion and their wild relatives that exist in the country. 
annually. This boom is mainly explained by the For example, wild tomato (Solanum pennelli) is 
use of greater agricultural technology, such as native to Peru and has genes that give it tolerance 
drip irrigation, fertigation, and pruning, among to salinity (Peralta & Spooner, 2000). Making use 
others. However, the genetic component has not of these genes present in this species will be of 
yet been fully exploited. This is reflected in far great importance to developing tomato cultivars 
below average yields for some crops. with tolerance to salinity that can be cultivated in 
the desert and salty areas of the Peruvian coast. 
For example, de Haan et al. (2010) showed 
that individual potato farm households in Peru Similarly, genes that improve the nutritional 
maintain high levels of cultivar, morphological, content of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), 
and genetic diversity. Tetraploid native potatoes cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) kiwicha 
were most abundant, followed by diploids, (Amaranthus caudatus), arracacha (Arracacia 
triploids, and pentaploid potatoes. However, xanthorrhiza), yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius), 
Peru has a national average yield of 16 t ha-1, maca (Lepidium meyenii), pepper, corn, 
comparing to other countries where national among others, can be identified. The genetic 
averages of 40 t ha-1 are reached. The big improvement of these crops can be optimized 
difference lies mainly in the use of higher thanks to the use of new technologies, such as 
quality seeds by farmers. This case is different the sequencing of whole genomes, which are 
for crops such as tomato, where hybrid seeds highly reliable, fast to execute, and low cost. 
of very high genetic value are used, reaching As a first step, we propose to know exactly 
averages very similar to those in the Netherlands what exists within germplasm banks at INIA 
in Peru, that is, 100 t ha-1. Application of next- and UNALM. This will be achieved through the 
generation sequencing (NGS) technologies characterization of germplasm. Therefore, the 
would accelerate germplasm enhancement, the accessions will be genotyped to determine the 
evaluation of genetic diversity in situ and ex- genetic diversity and population structure. 
situ, and conservation strategies of plant genetic 
resources (Machida-Hirano & Niino, 2017). Likewise, genotype-phenotype association 
studies can be carried out, thus identifying 
In order to support the rise of Peruvian putative regions of the genome that code for 
agriculture, we have been executing research regions of agronomic and/or economic interest. 
projects related to the massive use of Peruvian At the same time, it is necessary to know the 
genetic resources in favor of Peruvian agriculture, genotype x environment (GxE) interaction. This 
focusing on the genetic improvement component will be achieved through the use of quantitative 
of plants with the greatest national economic genetics tools. At the same time, in order to make 
potential. Among the projects in execution and/ the selection and obtain greater genetic gain in 
or in the process of starting execution, garlic less time, the use of genomic selection will be 
(Allium sativum), sweet cucumber (Solanum performed. These jobs are focused mainly on 
muricatum), carrot (Daucus carota), chilli pre-breeding work. The challenge for the next 
peppers and hot peppers (Capsicum spp.), starchy generation of quantitative geneticists and plant 
corn (Zea mays) and onion (Allium cepa) are breeders is not only to understand the genetic 
under consideration. At the same time, we invite basis of complex trait variation but also to use 
Peruvian Agricultural Research 3(1), 35-39, 2021 37
Arbizu & Blas  
that knowledge to efficiently synthesize twenty- pe/agencia/noticia-peru-se-perfila-como-pais-
first-century crop varieties (Cobb et al. 2013). despensa-alimentos-para-mundo-858586.aspx
Bolger, A., Scossa, F., Bolger, M. E., Lanz, C., 
To date, we have a project underway Maumus, F., Tohge, T., Quesneville, H., 
regarding the improvement of starchy corn Alseekh, S., Sørensen, I., Lichtenstein, G., Fich, 
germplasm from ten Peruvian races. This work E.A., Conte, M., Keller, H., Schneeberger, K., 
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from the Swedish University of Agricultural Y., Osorio, S., .... & Fernie, A.R. (2014). The 
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Likewise, the genome of “Cusco Gigante” and strategies for enhancing our understanding 
maize is being sequenced to generate molecular of genotype-phenotype relationships and its 
resources for subsequent genetic improvement relevance to crop improvement. Theoretical and 
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Hirsch, C.D., Buell, C.R. & Hirsch, C.N. (2016). 
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