Modern Potato Had Roots in Peru

BBC ^ | 4 Oct 2005 | Staff

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

Single, highly localized origin has also been demonstrated by DNA testing for the domesticated dog. If this trend of specific origins continues, it could upset current theories on domestication processes.

[A knight without armor]

Mashed, scalloped, fried, boiled, baked, french fried, salad, soup...

I do all I can to support the potato.

[konaice]

And both dogs and potatos demonstrate the rapidity of breed/cultivar differentiation that can be achieved without anyone realy going out of their way to try to do it.

There were about a 150 varieties of potato in common useage before the civil war, now down to about 20. Yet no one set out to make these varieties, they just planted what seemed to grow best for them.

[dfwgator]

So does that mean that from now on we should refer to it as "Senor Cabeza de Potato?"

[Wonder Warthog]

"Modern Potato Had Roots in Peru"

And it had stalks in Brazil, I guess. :^)

[jdege]

Single, highly localized origin has also been demonstrated by DNA testing for the domesticated dog.

What? I don't care what they say about all those other dogs, but mine is directly descended from a wolf, a cougar, a wolverine, and a grizzly bear.

Just ask him. (And ignore the fact that he only weights 17 pounds...)

[xcamel]

...Yams are a primary agricultural commodity in West Africa and New Guinea. They were first cultivated in Africa and Asia about 8000-12,000 B.C., probably because they were able to flourish in environments where growing leafy vegetables and keeping livestock was difficult.

To this day, the yam tuber remains crucial to survival in the region; it can be stored for four to six months without refrigeration, which makes it a valuable resource for the yearly period of food scarcity at the beginning of the wet season.

Mongolian/Asian "yams" have been a favorite food of the Bactrian camel since domestication, roughly 8000-8500 B.C.

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

Good points. Although we are somewhat ahead of the test results, as a speculation that certainly seems to be how the conclusion is now shaping up for the domestication process.

[KarlInOhio]

So does that mean that from now on we should refer to it as "Senor Cabeza de Potato?"

Don't try to oppress the Incan Mr. Potato Head with the conquistador language.

[N. Theknow]

Potatoes in Peru?

Wasn't it Limas?

[truth_seeker]

Potatos from Peru, Tomatos from Mexico, Pasta from China. I thought everyone knew these historical items.

[Altair333]

My Peruvian Potato theory has been vindicated. This is the greatest moment of my life.

To my many enemies in the potato geneology field, I say: IN YOUR FACE.

[Andonius_99]

i thought they were from a galaxy far, far away...

Can someone post this picture?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/front/darth_tater.jpg

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

Potato's origins were not traditionally ascribed to Peru per se. The were ascribed the wider area of " somewhere in the Andes", as the article states. The DNA testing narrows the area of origin down quite a bit.

[orionblamblam]

> US scientists have found that all modern varieties of potatoes can be traced back to a single source - a spud grown in Peru over 7,000 years ago.

Hogwash! The tater was first grown in Middle Earth!

[A knight without armor]

"...said the scientist, who spends two months a year collecting wild potatoes on treks in South America's mountainous regions. "

1. This sounds like the start of a King Kong movie
2. I bet he runs into a lot of tarantulas
3. Me hungry for baked spud with butter & sour cream

[AndrewB]

Curse you Altair! I still say the potato comes from the horn of Africa.

[Revolting cat!]

Did it evolve from the Monkees too?

(Pardone moi for trying to provoke another evolution thread!)

[A knight without armor]

I've been trying to copy that picture. Anyways, it is pure happiness. That facial expression, ears, little butt all just slay me.