Objective:

To analyze the diversity, use and management of roots and edible tubers, through the analysis of the use value index (IVU) and the level of significant use TRAMIL.

Methodology:

Questionnaires were applied to 60 people from the community, as well as six interviews and ethnographic observation with key informants.

Limitations:

Is a case study, where, in the milpa, in addition to the traditional polycultures, beans, corn and pumpkin, tubers are grown. Those are important for food and that would be enriching to expand the area of study and permanence in the Mayan communities to document and revalue the reincorporation of the cultivation of roots and tubers in the Mayan milpa.

Results:

6 species and 27 varieties were found. The 49.9% of respondents reported knowing all the varieties described and five categories of use were registered for the species: human food, animal food, medicinal, ritual/ceremonial and ornamental. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), makal (Xanthosoma yucatanense) and cassava (Manihot esculenta) had the highest IVU (0.06), while jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) showed the lowest value (0.05). Eight varieties presented a significant level of use greater than 20%: white cassava (88.3%), jicama sak chikam (86.66%), sweet potato with sak iss varieties (75%), maay muula (71.6%) and xk'an iss (68.3%). Finally, yellow cassava (41.6%), and makal with two varieties xka' aben makal (28.3%) and x'mejen sak makal (31.6%).

Conclusions:

The milpa and the solar are still the places where these plants are grown, so they constitute the reservoirs where they can be preserved. Several factors influence changes in the diet and cultivation of the Mayan community of Xocén, with migration and climate change being the most relevant.