the surprising origin of our potatoes

About 9 million years ago. Consequently, an unexpected meeting between tomato plants and species resembling potatoes in South America marked the beginning of the history of modern potato. Consequently, This discovery sheds light on a jour new the origins of one of the most consumed staple foods at monde.

An international team of researchers revealed that this natural hybridization event was the catalyst for the formation of the tuber, an enlarged underground structure that stores nutrients. For example, Published in the journal Cellthis study puts in light How such a crossing could give birth to such. a distinctive characteristic.

Scientists have long been intrigued by the origins of the surprising origin our potatoes potato, a culture essential worldwide. Although modern plants strongly resemble three Chilean species called Etuberosum, the latter do not produce tubers. L’genetic analysis Finally made it possible to resolve this riddle.

By examining 450 cultivated potatoes. 56 wild species, the researchers discovered that each species of potatoes contains a stable mixture of equipment genetic from both etuberosum and tomato plants. This old hybridization would have taken place around 9 million years ago. giving birth to the first potatoes capable of producing tubers.

The key genes responsible for the formation of tubers, such as SP6A and IT1, come from tomato and etuberosum plants respectively.

This scalable innovation has coincided with the rapid uprising (uprising of the earth’s bark) of the Andes. offering the first potatoes a surprising origin our potatoes significant advantage to adapt to changing environments. The tubers allowed these plants to reproduce without pollination, thus colonizing a multitude of ecological niches.