Science Reveals the Surprising Origins of the Potato
1 min read
Summary
A study by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has mapped the genetic history of the common potato, finding that it emerged around nine million years ago through interbreeding of a tomato ancestor with another South American plant.
This mixture of genetic material resulted in the adaptation of a new plant with the ability to form tubers, allowing potatoes to spread across diverse climates and environments.
The potato became a staple of many diets and facilitated population growth, accounting for 25% of population growth in the Old World between 1700 and 1900.
The study identifies the SP6A gene, responsible for forming tubers, as coming from the tomato ancestor, while the IT1 gene, responsible for regulating tuber growth, came from the South American plant.
Scientists believe that geological changes forced the evolution of the potato, which subsequently enabled the vegetable to survive and propagate successfully.
