Hunt Institute Archives Text Discovery Platform

Page transcription

IV. Products of the Expeditions in terms of the five objectives:
1) Genus Nicotiana -- discovery of five previously unknown species of Nicotiana and a large number of previously little-known species and varieties; mapping of distribution of all South American species and collecting of their seed. This seed and other seed has made possible the growing together in the Botanical Garden of all but four of the sixty known species and of numerous varieties of Nicotiana, a unique accomplishment. The data secured in South America and in the Botanical Garden over a period of twenty years is being published in an extended monograph now in press (cf. biblio.#34).
2) Floras of South America -- The six expeditions returned to the University a total of some 100,000 dried plant specimens (including duplicates) of approximately 15,000 different collections. A considerable number of previously unknown species were discovered. The most complete set of these specimens has significantly enriched the South American collections in the University's Herbarium. The remaining specimens are being distributed to other leading Herbaria in the United States and in South America, England and Europe where they are much appreciated. Research based on these expedition collections, which has been and will in the future be carried on in these various institutions will greatly increase knowledge of the character and distribution of the vegetation of the South American continent. Numerous requests from U.S. government agencies and scientific institutions to collect material of certain species in South America were complied with.
3) Living plants, seeds, etc -- The collections of South American plants growing in the Botanical Garden, Berkeley, contain some of the most important products of the Expeditions in terms of scientific and horticultural value. Of current research significance is, for example, the collection of Chilean, Peruvian and Argentine cacti which is the most complete and important in the world. All the leading Botanical Gardens in this country and abroad have requested seed of the plants in these collections and active cooperation with a number of scientific institutions in phases of this research program is in progress. The Nicotiana collection is, as already indicated, unique and requests for seed of the new or little-known South American species grown in the Botanical Garden are constantly being received from all parts of the world. Numerous other examples of the scientific significance of the products of the Expeditions could be given.

Two examples of the agricultural importance of the South American collections are: 1) finding and collecting seed of a wild and commercially valuable species of tomato in Peru which is resistant to one of the most destructive fungus disease of the cultivated tomato. Introduction of this disease resistant factor into current tomato varieties has resulted in greatly reducing crop losses in Western U.S. tomato fields; 2) introduction of a native Peruvian species of Nicotiana, partially resistant to the tobacco mosaic disease, has aided in lessening tobacco crop losses from this disease which in the past have run into millions of dollars annually.

Seed of a large number of new or little-known South American plants of potential ornamental importance was obtained by the Expeditions. Over 1000 packets of this seed were distributed to California Garden clubs, nurserymen and private citizens. Requests for seed of particular species are constantly being received. At present a number of new or improved South American ornamentals are being tested in the Botanical Garden for adaptability to California conditions before being released to seedmen and nurserymen of this state. The ultimate potential value to commercial plant interests in California cannot as yet be estimated but should be considerable.