Origin of Irish potato famine discovered

UPI ^ | 03/05/07

[nypokerface]

RALEIGH, N.C., March 5 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have determined the fungus-like pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine originated in the South American Andes.

Professor Jean Beagle Ristaino and colleagues at North Carolina State University compared the sequences of the nuclear and the cellular mitochondria of nearly 100 pathogen samples from South America, Central America, North America and Europe.

The researchers say they created "gene genealogies" that point the finger at an Andean point of origin for the pathogen, which is known as Phytophthora infestans.

The study, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Science Foundation and the Fulbright Scholarship program, is detailed online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[Pontiac]

"OK, they know where it came from, but how did it get from the South American Andes to Ireland?"

You are more than likely correct.

Not being aware of any trade between Ireland and South American in the 19th century I can’t say (rubber maybe, bird plumage).

But if there was, potatoes would be a like food stuff put on board for sailors. But I would think that bad potatoes would be chucked over the side.

But if the infected potatoes where disposed of once in port it is possible that they would be picked up by rummaging poor folk and start the infestation.

I suppose we will never know.

[LantzALot]

Great, now I have the theme from The Quiet Man playing in my head. De de, de de, de de, deedle eedle.

And the words that go with that are

"I met some folk who say that I'm a dreamer, ..."

The Isle of Innisfree