About Solanum chacoense Bitter
Solanum chacoense Bitter is a species of wild potato. It is native to South America, occurring in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, and Paraguay. It is noted as one of the most widely distributed wild potato species. It commonly grows as a weed in disturbed habitats like crop fields. It has become an introduced species in areas outside its native range, including Australia, China, the United States, England, New Zealand, and other locations. This plant has been extensively researched to identify ways to improve its close relative, the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum). It is sexually compatible with the common cultivated potato. It was likely introduced to non-native regions when it was imported for potato study and breeding purposes. Many of the sites where it has been found outside South America are located near plant breeding stations and botanical gardens. This wild potato species contains leptin glycoalkaloids that give it resistance to the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a major pest of potato crops. It has also demonstrated resistance to verticillium wilt and potato leafroll virus.
