CARACTERIZACIÓN AGROMORFOLÓGICA Y ANÁLISIS HISTÓRICO DEL PALLAR MOCHE (Phaseolus lunatus L.) CULTIVADO EN ICA, PERÚ

<p><strong>Background: </strong>The pallar (bean) is the second most representative species of the <em>Phaseolus</em> genus, with the departments of Ica and Lambayeque being the regions with the highest concentration of its cultivation. Thus, there is great cultural and historical interest in the Moche pallar (bean). Remains of the pallar (bean) have been found in caves and on Moche ceramics. These pallars are characterized by the perfect duality of the seed's black and white color. <strong>Objective:</strong> To carry out the agromorphological characterization through 15 qualitative descriptors and 12 quantitative descriptors; and to historically analyze the importance of the Moche pallar. <strong>Methodology:</strong> During the months of May to December 2023, an agromorphological characterization was carried out on 10 Moche pallar plants. Descriptive statistical analysis, means, standard error, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were used. For the historical analysis, a systematic review was carried out to understand the history and the various interpretations of the seed color of the Moche pallar. <strong>Results:</strong> The Moche pallar belongs to the Big Lima cultigroup with black and white seeds, whose pods presented 3.50 locules and measured 120.36 mm in length and 16.10 mm in width; and the seeds reached a length of 24.33 mm and a width of 14.46 mm with a mass of 1.22 g; while the average number of pods per plant was 382.22 and the average seed mass was 1123.43 g; and the historical analysis highlighted the importance for the Mochica culture of the combination of black and white in the seed tegument. <strong>Implications:</strong> The agromorphological characterization of the pallar contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and the historical analysis provides important information that will allow the valorization of this ancestral pallar. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The agromorphological characterization of the Moche lima bean allowed for the identification of qualitative and quantitative descriptors, which would facilitate its dissemination and conservation in Peru; while the historical analysis revealed the significance of the combination of the white and black colors of its integument.</p>