Scientists Confirm Potato Origins From 9-Million-Year Tomato Hybrid

Recent groundbreaking research has revealed that the modern potato originated from an ancient hybridization event about 9 million years ago between a wild tomato plant and a potato-like species called Etuberosum. This rare genetic marriage led to the creation of the tuber, a novel organ that allowed potatoes to store nutrients underground and adapt to harsh environments, particularly in the Andes Mountains. Despite morphological similarities to Etuberosum, genetic analyses show that potatoes carry balanced DNA contributions from both tomatoes and Etuberosum, resolving a long-standing scientific puzzle. Key genes from each parent lineage, including the SP6A gene from tomatoes and the IT1 gene from Etuberosum, combined to enable tuber formation and growth. This discovery, based on comprehensive genomic studies of hundreds of cultivated and wild potato varieties, provides important insights into plant evolution and has significant implications for potato breeding and agriculture worldwide. The findings were published in the journal Cell and involve international collaboration among scientists from China, Canada, the UK, and beyond.