Tropaeolum tuberosum

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum)

Mashua, also Mashua, Añu, Ysaño, Cubio (Tropaeolum tuberosum) is a crop from the family of capuchin Kress plants ( Tropaeolaceae ).

Botany

The plant forms like all Capuchin Kress plants shield-shaped ( peltate ) leaves. However, these are lobed star-shaped. The plant climbs by means of tendrils petiole. The spurred flowers have an orange-red coloration. The tubers go from short stolons produced, up to 13.5 cm long and are mottled yellow- purple. They have small buds created (so-called "eyes" ) in notches.

Dissemination

Has its origins plant in the central Andes. It has already been used in vorkolumbinanischer time as a crop and is cultivated in an area that covers parts of Bolivia, Colombia, northern Argentina and Chile. The main growing regions are located at an altitude between 3,000 and 4,000 m above sea level, with an emphasis 3500-3800 m above sea level.

Use

Mashua is grown together with Olluco, bulbous wood sorrel, there called Oka, and there native potato varieties. It is estimated that the Peruvian production area is about 6,000 ha. There are about 4 to 12 tonnes per hectare are harvested. Under optimal conditions, yields of up to 70 tonnes per hectare should be achieved.

From an agricultural point of view Mashua is therefore an interesting food plant because they can be grown on poor soils and neither plant protection nor special fertilizers are required.

Even the Incas of the plant attributed antiaphrodisierende effect and their soldiers given regular rations. Studies have shown that testosterone levels in male rats could be reduced by eating Mashua to below 50 % of normal.

In areas where the potato climatic reasons can not be cultivated, the tubers of this plant provide the staple food. The tubers have in its raw state an unpleasant odor and a pungent taste, both of which disappear, however, when the tubers are exposed to frost.

Mashua has a great importance in the diet of the local poor population, especially in rural areas of the high Andes. The tuber is eaten as porridge or in roasted form. Also a dry product is made from the tubers, which is called " taicha " and will last for years.

Despite their proliferation as a food crop for humans the future use of the kind is seen differently than Oca or Ulluco because of their peculiar, perceived as unpleasant smell and taste, especially in the use as animal feed.

Ingredients

86 % water, 0.1 % fat, 11 % carbohydrates, 1.6 % protein, 67 mg of vitamin C. 100 g fresh weight have a calorific value of 46 kcal.

Plant diseases and pests

The plant is extremely resistant because of their ingredients, both against plant diseases as well as against feeding damage by insects. In addition, very effective nematicides have been detected in the plant.