The humble potato owes its existence to an ancient genetic mash-up between two wild plant lineages. A recent study on 100 wild and cultivated potato genomes revealed that the potato family tree belongs to a group called Petota, which has the unique ability to grow underground tubers.
The discovery dates back to millions of years ago when two different wild plant lineages crossed paths in the high mountains of South America. This hybridization created a new lineage: Petota, which inherited the right mix of genes to develop tubers and store nutrients underground. The innovative tuber-forming ability helped Petota rapidly diversify into over 100 species, adapting to various environments.
The genes responsible for making tubers were inherited from both parent lineages in a genetic collaboration. Modern genetic experiments show that these hybrid genes are essential for tuber development and remain active today in potatoes. So, the next time you eat a potato, remember it’s the result of an ancient botanical love story that changed agricultural history.
The study highlights how powerful hybridization can be in driving plant diversity, with Petota species evolving faster than their parent lineages. This discovery sheds new light on the origins of the potato and its remarkable adaptability to different climates and environments.
Source: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-sunday-session-with-f-28944197/episode/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-where-289061756