Potatoes, one of the most widely consumed food worldwide, was first tamed about 10,000 years ago in the And. Despite its enormous agricultural and economic importance, the deep evolutionary origin of the potatoes remained uncertain, as the plants rarely leave strong fossils. Now scientists have traced their ancestry for nine million years, finding that today’s potatoes are the result of random hybridization between the ancient ancestor of tomatoes and a wild, meaningless plant called etuberosum. This breakthrough explains how potatoes acquired its ability to tube, critical adaptation for the survivor of the rigid climate and eventually gave birth to more than 100 species of wild potatoes.
As a A tomato as a plant crossed wild species to create first potatoes
To reveal this origin, the researchers analyzed 450 potato genomes both cultivated and wild. They found that a plant similar to tomatoes crossed with Etuberosum about nine million years ago. None of the parental species produced tubers, but hybridization combined key genetic features, which allows for forming underground tubers.This evolutionary leap probably occurred during the rapid climate change in the Andes when it was necessary to preserve nutrients. This only genetic event created the basis for potatoes to eventually dominate agriculture as rich in nutrients, a high -yield crop.
A The secret of potato tubers and how they helped people survive and thrive
The tubers revolutionized plants’ survival strategies because they could store nutrients underground, safe from harsh winters, drought and pests. Unlike the seeds, the tubers allowed for asexual reproduction, allowing the plants to grow rapidly and widely spread even in short growing season.This adaptation has given birth to more than 100 types of wild potatoes, although many remain non -natural toxins. Edible, however, transformed human diets. From ancient Andani farmers to world kitchens, tubers today helped provide a reliable food source and laid the basis for modern agriculture.
Tomato and potatoes Share the genetic roots expressed
The study found that potatoes are genetically closer to tomatoes than previously thought. Two critical genes were responsible for the development of the tuber:
- Gen. SP6A (from tomatoes): caused a signal for tuber growth.
- Gene IT1 (from etuberosum): controlled formation of an underground barrel.
This combination created a unique potato that forms a tuber. As the Andna mountains rose and the climate shifted, the potatoes developed to bloom in cold, dry, high -rise regions, ensuring its survival and diversification.
A study of the evolution of potatoes reveals the way to climatic sustainable crops
Today, the potatoes are third in the world, after rice and wheat, signaling billions and contributing food security around the world. However, change in climates, pests and new diseases create a threat.Realizing the evolution of potatoes and genetics, scientists can re -present ancient features of modern varieties, improving climate resistance, pest resistance and reproduction efficiency. The development of seed potatoes and the use of wild potatoes can further strengthen the adaptation of the crop, providing its constant value in the conditions of global agricultural problems.Potato history is an accident, stability and adaptation. From the random hybridization between the ancestors of the tomato and the wild plant Etuberosum to the global dietary stone stone, the potatoes have transformed the history of humanity. This new genetic understanding not only enriches our understanding of the evolution of agriculture, but also gives a roadmap to create tougher, more stable cultures for the future.Also Read Know why blueberries are considered the best to reduce cholesterol, according to cardiologists
