Scientists have finally uncovered the ancient secret behind the potato’s origin—and it involves an unexpected genetic romance. About 9 million years ago, a wild interbreeding event occurred between a tomato-like plant and a potato-relative in the Andes. This rare hybridization gave rise to the first tuber-forming plants. Ancient Hybrid Sparked the Potato’s Origins An international […]



Summary

A new study reveals the potato’s origin lies in a rare hybridization event 9 million years ago. Scientists discovered that a wild tomato-like plant interbred with a potato relative in the Andes, creating the first tuber-forming plants. This ancient genetic mixing, confirmed by analyzing modern potato genomes, was crucial for the potato’s development and eventual domestication. The discovery sheds light on the complex evolutionary history of this globally important crop.

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