Potato

The potato (/pəˈteɪtoʊ/) is a starchy tuberous vegetable native to the Americas that is eaten in many parts of the world as a main food. Potatoes grow underground and are parts of the plant Solanum tuberosum, which belongs to the nightshade family Solanaceae.

Wild potato species can be found from the southern United States to southern Chile. The potato was first grown by people about 7,000 to 10,000 years ago in what is now southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia. Many different kinds of potatoes are grown in the Andes mountains of South America.

The Spanish introduced potatoes to Europe in the late 1500s. Today, potatoes are a key part of the food we eat around the world. After many years of careful planting and choosing, there are now over 5,000 different varieties of potatoes. Europe, especially Northern and Eastern Europe, still grows the most potatoes per person, but countries like China and India have been increasing their potato production the most in recent years.

Like the tomato, potatoes are also in the genus Solanum. Parts above ground of the potato plant contain a toxin called solanine. When potatoes are grown and stored right, the tubers have very little of this, but if the sprouts and skins are exposed to light, they can become toxic.

Etymology

The English word "potato" comes from the Spanish word patata, which originally came from the Taíno word batata, meaning "sweet potato".

The nickname "spud" for a potato started from an old word spudde, describing a small, thick knife. Over time, this word changed meaning to refer to the potato itself. In several languages such as Afrikaans, Dutch, and French, potatoes are called "earth apple" or "ground apple", comparing the potato to a round fruit.

Description

Potato plants are herbaceous perennials that grow up to one metre (three feet) high. Their stems are hairy, and their leaves have roughly four pairs of leaflets. The flowers can be white, pink, blue, or purple, with a yellow centre, and they are pollinated by insects.

These plants grow tubers, which are not roots but stems, to store nutrients. These tubers have “eyes,” which protect the buds that grow into new stems, and small holes called lenticels that allow the tuber to breathe. After flowering, they produce small green fruits similar to cherry tomatoes, each containing about 300 tiny seeds.

Phylogeny

Like the tomato, potatoes belong to the genus Solanum, which is part of the nightshade family, the Solanaceae. This family includes many plants, some of which can be poisonous, such as mandrake (Mandragora), deadly nightshade (Atropa), and tobacco (Nicotiana). The most commonly grown potato is S. tuberosum.

There are several other potato species, each with different numbers of chromosomes. The major species grown around the world is S. tuberosum, which has 48 chromosomes. There are also diploid species with 24 chromosomes, triploid species with 36 chromosomes, and a pentaploid species with 60 chromosomes.

History

Main article: History of the potato

The potato was first domesticated in southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia by pre-Columbian farmers near Lake Titicaca about 7,000–10,000 years ago. Early potato remains have been found in Peru dating back to 2500 BC. After the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, potatoes were brought to Europe in the 16th century and later spread around the world. Though it took time for European farmers to embrace them, potatoes eventually became a key food crop that helped support population growth in the 19th century.

Today, the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru, preserves many different types of potatoes. Scientists have also discovered that most modern potato varieties come from a subspecies originally found in the lowlands of south-central Chile. Wild potato species in Mexico and North America are important for breeding disease-resistant potatoes. The United Nations celebrates the International Day of Potato each year on May 30, starting in 2024.

Breeding

Potatoes do not produce useful fruit when they pollinate themselves, making it tricky for farmers to breed new potato plants. Scientists have discovered ways to change this using special tools, allowing them to create potatoes better suited for farming.

There are thousands of different potato types around the world, each with its own qualities. Some potatoes are better for baking, while others are best for boiling or making chips. Potatoes can also have different colored skins and flesh, which adds to their variety and appeal. Scientists have also worked on creating potatoes that are resistant to pests and diseases, though these have faced some resistance from the public.

Cultivation

Potatoes are grown from special tubers called "seed potatoes" that are free from disease. These seed potatoes are grown in places with cold winters and lots of sunshine to keep pests away and help the plants grow well.

Potato plants grow in stages. First, sprouts and roots appear. Then, leaves and branches grow above ground, and special structures called stolons form below ground. Next, new potatoes form at the tips of these stolons. After that, the plant focuses on growing bigger potatoes, needing the right soil, water, and nutrients. Finally, the potatoes mature, and the plant's leaves and stems die back. Growers often cover new potatoes with soil to keep them from turning green when exposed to sunlight. Potatoes grow best in well-drained soil that is not too acidic or too alkaline. They are sensitive to frost, which can damage them.

Production

In 2023, the world produced about 383 million tonnes of potatoes, with China growing the most. Potatoes are grown on large areas of land, called hectares, all around the world. Some countries grow more potatoes per hectare than others. For example, farmers in New Zealand have been able to grow very high amounts of potatoes on their farms. The amount of potatoes a farm can produce depends on many things, like the type of potato plant and how it is cared for. Potatoes give us more food energy per hectare than crops like maize, rice, wheat, or soybeans.

Effects of climate change on production

Further information: Effects of climate change on agriculture

Climate change is expected to change how we grow potatoes around the world. Warmer temperatures, different amounts of rain, and higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air will all affect potato plants. In some places, especially hotter areas like Sub-Saharan Africa, growing potatoes may become harder because of too much heat. However, in cooler places like Canada and Russia, potatoes might grow better because they won't be hurt by frost as much.

Scientists are working on new potato plants that can handle these changes better. They are creating plants that can survive heat, droughts, and diseases. This way, even if the climate changes, we can still enjoy potatoes as a tasty and important food.

Nutrition

Further information: Staple food § Comparison of 10 staple foods

A boiled potato with skin has about 87 calories in every 100 grams. It is mostly water (77%) and contains carbohydrates, a little protein, and almost no fat. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C and some B vitamins, like vitamin B6. They also have a moderate amount of potassium.

Raw potatoes are not usually eaten because their starch is hard to digest. Depending on how they are prepared, potatoes can raise blood sugar quickly, so some people watching their diet avoid them. In the UK, potatoes do not count toward the daily goal of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables.

Toxicity

Raw potatoes contain natural toxins called glycoalkaloids, with solanine being one of the most common. These toxins help protect the potato plant from animals that might eat it. They are usually found more in the leaves and flowers of the plant than in the tubers we eat.

If potatoes are exposed to light, they can turn green and the toxin levels can increase, making them unsafe to eat. This is why it’s important to store potatoes in a dark place and to remove any green parts before cooking. Different potato varieties have different levels of these toxins, and plant breeders work to keep the levels safe for consumption.

Uses

See also: List of potato dishes and Potato cooking

Potatoes are enjoyed in many dishes around the world. In Peru, there are about 3,000 different kinds of potatoes used in cooking. In the UK, potatoes are a key part of fish and chips, and they are also used in roast dinners, mashed potatoes, shepherd's pie, and other traditional meals. In Germany, Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Poland, new potatoes are a special treat, often served with dill and Baltic herring. In Lithuania, cepelinai — dumplings made from potatoes and sometimes filled with meat — are a popular dish. In Italy, especially in the Friuli region, potatoes are used to make a type of pasta called gnocchi. In northern China, potatoes are used in dishes like qīng jiāo tǔ dòu sī, made with green pepper and vinegar.

Potatoes also have other uses beyond eating. They can be used to make alcoholic drinks such as vodka. They are also used as food for animals and can be turned into silage for storage. Potato starch is used in many industries, including food, textiles, and paper making. Potatoes are also helpful for scientific research because their tissue is easy to study.

• Pommes frites, also called chips and French fries
• Papa rellena
• Baked potato with sour cream and chives
• German Bauernfrühstück ("farmer's breakfast")
• Cepelinai

Cultural significance

In ancient stories, potatoes hold special meanings. In Inca mythology, Axomamma, a goddess linked to the earth, was known as the goddess of potatoes. She helped ensure that the soil stayed fertile and that potatoes grew well.

Potatoes have also appeared in art and popular culture. Famous artists like Van Gogh and Jean-François Millet created paintings showing people eating or harvesting potatoes, highlighting their importance in daily life. In modern times, the toy Mr. Potato Head, invented in 1949, became very popular. In movies, such as The Martian, potatoes were shown being grown in unusual places, like on Mars.