Building Local Diversity

Guatemala 529 is a variety that I obtained from the USDA Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, Georgia. 

We requested this variety for the purpose of introduction to local markets and for testing its suitability for growing in Iowa. 

USDA documentation describes 529 as a landrace variety collected from an area Northwest of La Libertad, Guatemala in 1983. It was also described as having orange skin and purple flesh, however as harvested in Iowa it has orange skin and light orange flesh. 

The roots are long and fairly uniform and were located mostly under the plant. The flesh has some stringiness, but it has an overall good texture and richness of flavor. Initial yield was above average in the first year. 

The plant habit is vining. Leaf color is mostly green with some occasional purple tinting. Leaf shape is mostly cordate with 1 to 3 points.

USDA Accession Number: PI 538306