Potato Was Born from Tomato 9 Million Years Ago

In Indian cuisine, the most commonly used vegetables are tomato and potato. Though the taste and texture of these two are quite different, a surprising similarity has now been discovered between them. A new study has revealed that potatoes actually evolved from tomatoes. This remarkable transformation took place about 9 million years ago in the Americas.

How was the potato born?

This study was published in the renowned journal ‘Cell’ and conducted by researchers at the Agricultural Genomics Institute in Shenzhen. According to the research, natural breeding between wild tomatoes and potato-like plants in South America gave rise to the potato around 9 million years ago. In the Andes region, wild tomatoes were crossbred with a plant called Etuberosum through a process known as hybridization, which led to the formation of the potato.

Tomato is the mother of potato

This research was led by Professor Sanwen Huang of the Agricultural Genomics Institute in China. He stated, “Tomato is the mother of the potato, and Etuberosum is the father. Although this wasn’t clear initially.” The above-ground part of the potato plant closely resembles Etuberosum, but the difference becomes visible underground. Etuberosum has thin underground stems and lacks the starchy tubers found in potatoes.

How was the study conducted?

The research team analyzed the genomes of 450 cultivated potato varieties and 56 wild species. To understand tuber formation, scientists also examined the genetic structure of tomatoes. Even though tomatoes do not form tubers, their genetic makeup is surprisingly similar to that of potatoes. Huang explained, “They belong to the same botanical family as eggplant. However, tomato, potato, and Etuberosum are genetically the most similar.”

How does a potato develop?

Two genes are essential for tuber development. The first is SP6A, found in tomatoes, and the second is IT1, found in Etuberosum. Neither gene alone is enough to produce potatoes. But when both genes are combined, they trigger a powerful biological process that transforms underground stems into starch-filled, edible tubers. This is how our beloved potatoes are created.

Once developed, potatoes reproduce on their own

Potatoes have inherited a stable mix of genes from both their parents. The study found that potatoes contain approximately 60% of Etuberosum genes and 40% of tomato genes. Their tubers store energy, helping them survive cold or drought conditions, and they can also reproduce without seeds. New plants sprout from the buds on potato tubers themselves.