There is no universally accepted treatment for the various species that make up the potatoes. We are following the treatment of Spooner D.M. Et al in 2007 in the 'Proceedings of the National. Academy of Science USA 104: 19398-19403, in which only four distinct genera are maintained - viz; S. Ajanhuiri (diploid forms); S. Curtilobum (pentaploid forms); S. Juzepczukii (triploid forms) and S. Tuberosum, which is subdivided into two cultivar-groups (Andigenum Group of upland Andean genotypes containing diploids, triploids and tetraploids, and the Chilotanum Group of lowland tetraploid Chilean landraces)[].

Common Name: Ajanhuiri

General Information

Solanum ajanhuiri is a perennial plant growing 40 - 70cm tall[].
This species include the various diploid forms of the potato. It is gathered from the wild and is also cultivated for its edible tubers in the Andes[].

Known Hazards

Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most species in this genus also contain toxic alkaloids. Whilst these alkaloids can make the plant useful in treaing a range of medical conditions, they can also cause problems such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness and respiratory depression[].
Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

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Range

S. America - Bolivia and Peru, in the Andes.

Habitat

Found in very cool windy sites in the Andes at elevations between 2,800 - 4,100 metres[]. In cultivated fields in the high Andean altiplano between southern Peru and central Bolivia, at elevations between 3,700 - 4,100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of high elevations in the tropics, where it is found at elevations from 2,800 - 4,100 metres. This species is a hybrid, Solanum tuberosum x Solanum boliviansis, that is often grown as a food crop in the Andes[]. It is more frost hardy than the common potato, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[, ], and can probably be grown in much the same way as potatoes are grown by planting out the tubers in spring and harvesting in the autumn[].
Succeeds in most soils[]. Dislikes wet or heavy clay soils[, ]. Prefers a slightly acid soil, the tubers are subject to scab on limy soils or those deficient in humus. Yields best on a fertile soil rich in organic matter. Tolerates hail and, once established, drought[].
Plants can produce tubers in 5 - 6 months from planting out[].
There are several forms but only one, called 'sisu' is not bitter - there are blue and white tuber varieties of this form[].
Plants might have strict day length requirements and may yield poorly in temperate zones because they need short-days in order to induce tuber-formation[].
A diploid species, it rarely produces fertile seed and even then only in small quantities[]. It is resistant to viral diseases and round-cyst nematode and is immune to Synchytrium black wart[].
The tubers store well[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[, ]. The tubers have a high content of dry matter and are a good source of vitamin C[]. Most forms are bitter and are sweetened by being made into 'chuño' (a method of freeze-drying the tubers)[]. There are some forms with sweet and floury tubers[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into a fairly rich compost as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on fast. Plant them out after the last expected frosts.
Division. Harvest the tubers in autumn after the top-growth has been cut back by frost. Store the tubers in a cool frost-free place overwinter and replant in mid spring.