Scientists have long puzzled over the origins of potatoes. Now, research published in Cell has solved this mystery by identifying a tomato as the potato’s ancient ancestor. The study, which analyzed 450 genomes from cultivated potatoes and 56 wild potato species, reveals that the SP6A gene from tomatoes played a crucial role in shaping the modern potato’s tuber formation.
According to researchers, around 9 million years ago, an interbreeding event between a tomato ancestor and a Chilean plant called Etuberosum led to the evolution of the potato. The SP6A gene from the tomato parent instructs the potato plant to produce starch-rich tubers, while the IT1 gene from Etuberosum assists in controlling their growth.
The study’s findings provide valuable insights into how hybridization events can spark the emergence of new traits and species. With this research, scientists have shed light on a previously unknown chapter in the history of potatoes, revealing a complex ancestry tied to both linguistic and genetic connections.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/potato-tomato-origin-ancient-interbreeding-hybridization-study