9 million year old relationship: tomato and potato DNA connection
A new scientific study has revealed that about 90 million years ago, in the Andes Mountains range of South America, there was a natural interbriding between a tomato -like wild species and an potato like a potato. In the hybrid plant that was born from this mail, for the first time, ‘Tuber’ means that we call ‘Aloo’ today. This tuber was a part of the ground that could store nutrients and keep the plant alive even in cold places.

Tuber became helpful in keeping pace with weather
According to researchers, climate was changing rapidly in the Andes at that time. The temperature was falling and the area was getting colder and dry. In such an environment, the plants that had tubers were able to survive for a long time. Tuber gives plants the ability to move forward without seeds, which are called essential reproduction. With this, they can spread rapidly in cold places.

Scientists’ Amazing: Jean’s secret and new possibilities
This new study analyzed 450 potato species and 56 wild varieties of genomes. Through this, two special genes have also been discovered who play an important role in making tubers. This information can help in developing such new varieties later which can face climate change. Some scientists are also thinking that a plant can be prepared which gives tomatoes above and potatoes below!
Today there are more than 5000 potato variety in the world. According to the International Potato Center, potatoes are the third most important crop in the world for human consumption- after rice and wheat. China is currently the world’s largest potato producing country.

Potatoes are often considered just carbohydrates, but the truth is that it also contains vitamin C, potassium, fiber and resistant starch. It is gluten-free, low-fat and long stomach food food. Resistant starch is also beneficial for our digestive system, as it nourishes good bacteria in the large intestine.
Potato and tomato entry in India took place after the 16th century, when European explorers spread them from South America all over the world. Portuguese traders first brought potatoes and tomatoes to India. Gradually these vegetables have become part of the Indian kitchen and today food seems incomplete without them.

The combination of two continents, the crown of our plate
This story of potato and tomato is not limited to botany or genetics, it is deeply connected to our daily life and plate. It shows how millions of years old natural mail can give rise to the world’s most important vegetables today. Next time you eat tomato potato vegetable, then remember this funny history too, because every byte of your food is hidden in the millions of years old.