Potatoes Evolved from Tomatoes through Ancient Hybridization

Recent genomic research has revealed that the modern potato evolved through a hybridization event about 9 million years ago between a wild tomato species and a potato-like plant native to South America. This discovery overturns previous assumptions that potatoes descended solely from a potato-like species, showing that tomatoes contributed crucial genes, including those responsible for tuber formation. The study, led by genome biologist Sanwen Huang and published in Cell, analyzed DNA from 450 cultivated potato varieties and 56 wild species to build genetic family trees supporting this hybrid origin. The hybridization not only gave rise to the characteristic nutrient-rich tuber but also enabled the potato plant to extend its range and diversify into more than 100 species. Researchers suggest that incorporating more genetic material from tomato ancestors could help improve potato resilience and diversify cultivated varieties, which are currently vulnerable due to clonal propagation. This finding highlights the close evolutionary relationship between two of the world’s most important food crops and opens new avenues for agricultural innovation.