Background: Native potatoes are Andean tubers of great historical, social, food, genetic and nutritional importance, and they contribute significantly to food security by supplementing the household diet and also providing alternative income. Even when their cultivation and consumption imply great benefits, their use and local preservation depend to a large extent on the recognition of their ethnobotanical and cultural importance. In this context, this study consolidates an important ethnobotanical research bases for native potatoes in Colombia. Methods: The study collected data through semi-structured interviews and dialogues (130) in the municipality of Chiscas, department of Boyacá, central-eastern Colombia. The questionnaire was focused on native potatoes and sought to investigate the knowledge related to cultivation, diversity, patterns and forms of preparation for use and consumption. Likewise, knowledge heritability mechanisms were investigated and ethnobotanical indices of relative importance, use and culture were estimated. Results: Documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge included aspects such as seed care and availability, cultural management of the crop, patterns of use and consumption, as well as ways of preparing the tubers. In total, 23 vernacular names of native potato and 360 reports of use (commercial, domestic or ritual-magical) were recorded for the 15 main genotypes. Quantitative estimates included the importance index: (a) cultural, for which values ranged between 0.059 and 0.812; (b) relative, with records between 0.04 and 0.43; and (c) use, which ranged between 0.06 and 0.63. The ethnobotanical importance index (d) for native potatoes was 57.26, which corresponds to a “very high” ethnobotanical value. This allowed us to identify that Criollas were the most recognized and used potatoes within the community. In addition, it was shown that vertical transmission is the main way in which traditional knowledge about native potatoes is inherited. Finally, an artificial intelligence tool was preliminarily implemented to identify the polarity generated in the interviewees by the questions. Conclusion: The results of this research provide valuable information on the ethnobotany of native potatoes in Colombia. The genotypes used by the community of the municipality of Chiscas were recognized for their high gastronomic and nutritional potential, as well as for their great ethnobotanical and cultural importance. These data can be considered as a valuable tool to support any action aimed at the conservation and revaluation of these tubers.

The diploid yellow potato (Solanum tuberosum L. Phureja Group) is an important plant genetic resource. In this study, we report for the first time the characterization of anther development and pollen formation in the cultivar Criolla Colombia. The description of morphological and histological characters of buds and flowers at different developmental stages permitted to identify ten main stages, from the differentiation of the male cells of the sporangium, meiosis, microspores formation and maturation, to the release of mature pollen. In addition, the results provide a graphic guide of the development of the anther, through the sequential and orderly formation of the epidermis, the endothecium, the middle layer and the nutritive layer or tapetum. This microanatomical information will be useful for work focused on androgenesis and identification of gene regulation in floral biology and gamete formation. Therefore, this study determined that to efficiently obtain haploids, flower buds between 5 and 8.9 mm long (stage 6 to 8) should be used, in which tetrads and microspores are in the early uninucleate and binucleate stage.

Introduction: Passiflora maliformis is a wild genotype of passionflower with antimicrobial activity and broad phytochemical properties, highlighting its potential as a genetic resource for crop improvement. Given that commercial passionflowers are severely affected by vascular wilt and stem rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani, this study aimed to elucidate the resistance mechanisms of P. maliformis var. pubescens against these pathogens, with emphasis on histopathological aspects.Methods: Pathogenicity tests were performed on seedlings germinated in vitro and ex vitro (SI and SE). Survival, disease incidence, and severity were evaluated in inoculated and non-inoculated plants. In addition, histopathological analyses of roots and stems were performed to characterize structural changes, defense responses, and pathogen colonization.Results: The genotype exhibited high survival rates and reduced incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt and stem rot, with minimal damage to internal and external tissues. Comparable shoot and root development was observed between inoculated and control plants, indicating the effectiveness of defense mechanisms that maintained physiological performance. Histopathological examination revealed reinforced cell walls, limited pathogen penetration, and restricted vascular colonization.Conclusion: P. maliformis var. pubescens demonstrated high responsiveness against F. oxysporum and F. solani, supporting their role as a potential resistant rootstock. These findings underscore the value of this wild genotype as a strategic genetic resource for breeding programs, integrated disease management, and the sustainable improvement of commercial passionflower crops.