Abstract

GUTIERREZ-RANGEL, Nicolás et al. Traditional knowledge of "cuatomate" (Solanum glaucenscens Zucc) in Puebla's Low Mixteca region, México. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2011, vol.8, n.3, pp.406-420. ISSN 1870-5472.

Cuatomate is a wild plant in process of domestication and with high economic potential in Puebla's Low Mixteca region; therefore, the objective of this study was to systematize peasant knowledge about its importance, diversity, management and prospects. A questionnaire was applied to 51 producers selected by the "snowball" method, and it was found that cuatomate is important to all producers in Puebla's Low Mixteca region, because of its use and change value. There are three types of cuatomate that are easily identifiable by the color of their fruit: green, white or ashen, and spotted. The green fruit has higher prospects for commercial production. The backyard is the most important productive space for the species, which has allowed its reproduction, distribution, conservation and diffusion through management practices carried out by the whole family, among them sowing, staking, transplanting, tutoring, irrigating, fertilizing, harvesting, and purchasing-selling fruit and plants. The difficulty in obtaining only fertile plants with quality for cuatomate propagation is one of the main problems that limit its production; however, most of the producers are willing to buy them and pay a surcharge if their fertility and quality is guaranteed.

Keywords : domestication; native; backyard; change value; use value.

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