Growing wild potatoes (Solanum cardiophyllum and S. ehrenbergii) in San Ignacio, municipality of Villa Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico

Solanum cardiophyllum Lindl and Solanum ehrenbergii (Bitter) Rydb are wild potatoes and fecund weeds growing in the center, west and south of Mexico. In the Potosino-Zacatecan highlands, the tubers of both species are sold for human consumption. In the community of San Ignacio in the county of Villa Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Solanum cardiophyllum and S. ehrenbergii have been cultivated for eight years. The purpose of this paper is to describe the production system of these wild potato species in San Ignacio. Mr. Ignacio Acero Ornelas who is in charge of the cultivation was interviewed. The interviews were wide-ranging and through them we discussed seed selection, weed control, pest control, harvesting and commercialization. The location could be of use as a system for conserving genetic resources. It is important to mention that genetic resourcing has made the cultivation of wild potatoes economically profitable.