• Potatoes originated from a hybridization event with a tomato ancestor nine million years ago.
• The study identifies two critical genes that enabled tuber development in potatoes.
• Hybridization allowed the potato to adapt to harsh Andean environments, leading to over 100 wild species.
• The potato is now the world’s third most important staple crop, after rice and wheat.
• Research aims to improve potato breeding efficiency and climate resilience for future challenges.

The potato, a staple food globally, has its origins traced back approximately nine million years to a hybridization event between a tomato ancestor and a wild plant called Etuberosum. This significant research reveals how the tuber, which is now a crucial feature of the potato, first developed through genetic interbreeding, enabling the adaptation of the potato to harsh climates, particularly in the Andes region. Researchers analyzed 450 genomes from cultivated and wild potato species, concluding this groundbreaking insight into potato evolution, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and India Times.

The research highlights that prior to this study, the evolutionary origin of potatoes had remained elusive, largely due to the lack of fossil evidence for plants. The hybridization between the ancestors of the tomato and the tuberless Etuberosum facilitated the formation of the potato's characteristic tubers, which serve as nutrient-storing organs, important for survival during adverse climate conditions. The study emphasizes that potatoes are genetically closer to tomatoes than previously understood, with about 40% of potato genes traced back to tomato ancestry, according to South China Morning Post, and India Times.

This developmental process likely occurred during significant environmental changes attributable to the rapid uplift of the Andes Mountains. Tubers not only assisted in storing essential nutrients and water but also enabled asexual reproduction, allowing potatoes to flourish even in challenging conditions. This evolutionary advantage contributed to the emergence of over 100 wild potato species, many of which are adapted to cold montane habitats, according to Reuters and India Times.

Recent findings underscore the potato's crucial role in global agriculture, now ranking as the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. It's noted that understanding the potato's genetic framework can lead to advancements in breeding techniques, enabling the development of more resilient potato varieties against climate change and diseases. Such insights could pave the way for agricultural improvements significantly benefitting food security worldwide, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.