Austral University of Chile (UACh)

Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh) is a public university based in Valdivia, Chile, offering education and research in agricultural sciences, food science, plant production, soil science and related disciplines. Through its Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, the university conducts research relevant to potato cultivation, plant health, crop improvement, native potato diversity, food processing and sustainable agricultural production. Its work connects agricultural research with the needs of farmers, food processors and the wider agri-food industry.

Established in 1954, Universidad Austral de Chile was created with an emphasis on higher education, scientific investigation, and regional advancement in southern Chile. The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, one of the university’s original faculties, offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in agronomy and food engineering. Research endeavors are backed by specialized institutes, laboratories, a food pilot facility, and the Austral Agricultural Experimental Station, where field tests and practical research aid in agricultural production and technology dissemination. The university partners with public entities, industry, and research organizations on projects related to agriculture and food.

UACh has a potato germplasm repository that preserves Chilean potato diversity, especially native varieties linked to Chiloé and southern Chile. The collection aids research on genetic resources, the creation of cultivars, and traits important for agricultural adaptation and food security. University studies have also investigated native colored potatoes for their nutritional traits and resilience to environmental stress, in addition to research on potato crop nutrition and production methods.