You say tomato, I say potato: Researchers finally solve the mystery origins of the humble spud
Potatoes derived from ancient crossbreeding, researchers say
- Researchers have finally determined the origin of potatoes, solving a long-standing mystery.
- Modern potatoes, encompassing over 4,000 species, originated approximately nine million years ago in South America.
- Their genesis involved the crossbreeding of wild tomato plants and potato-like species known as Etuberosum.
- This evolutionary event led to the formation of the tuber, the edible underground root, which provided potatoes with a significant advantage in challenging environments.
- Genetic analysis revealed that essential tuber-forming genes were inherited from both tomatoes (SP6A) and Etuberosum (IT1), with both being crucial for potato production.