Potato BiologyBotanically what kind of plant is the potato?The potato, Solanum tuberosum, is a member of the nightshade family of plants. Solanaceae).Nightshade Family VegetablesClose relatives of potatoes- tomatoes, peppers (chile, jalenpeno), eggplant, tomatillo? (all edible members of the Nightshade family)Belladonna- Deadly nightshadeSolanineSecondary plant compoundGlycoalkaloid poisonToxic in small quantitiesWorks as a plant’s natural defensePlant anatomy—what kind of plant part is the potato?It is a modified stem also known as a tuber.Tuber function: Nutrient storage and asexual reproductionThe tubers (below ground) don’t have much solanine in it but the leaves above ground do.Potato “eyes” - modified leave structures on the tuber (a modified stem)They are the growth point for new plants.Growing PotatoesBy using true seeding or by planting pieces of already grown potatoes that contain one or more eyePotatoes are mainly propagated asexuallyPotatoes grown to produce other potatoes are known as “seed potatoes”They are grown under special conditions to eliminate contamination with viruses and diseases.Potato FruitPotatoes produce fruit from pollinated flowers.Potatoes can be grown from seeds extracted from the potato fruit.The potato fruit contains a lot of Solanine that will make you very sick!Potato Center of Origin and CultureThe Center of Origin for the Potato- Mountains of Peru/BoliviaHistorical archeological cluesPeruvian people believed that all beneficial plants were personified by goddesses (Axo-mama: Peruvian goddess of the potato)DNA MarkersA little Variety is a Good ThingIncreased variety in center of origin potations productionPros:Disease resistanceIncrease land utilizationHigher yield within and across field plotsHigher chance of “stumbling” across new varietiesCons:Loss of synchrony of germination/ flowering/ harvest across the entire mountainside cropping systemBUT! If you become a master of potatoes, you will have food all year roundOrigin of Potato (don’t need to know this)Oldest archaeological evidence- 8 to 10 thousand years agoPeru-Bolivia to Chile region considered center of domesticationWidely distributed (Colombia –Chile) by Spanish ConquestOriginal European introductionsSpanish ca. 1570English ca. 1580Potato culture in Europe – widespread acceptance not until mid-late 1700sReasons it took so long:Lumpy- leprosy“The plant will tell you what it’s use is for”Potatoes were lumpy, therefore they caused leprosy (not actually true)Additionally, potatoes were grown and consumed in the Americas and only “uncivilized demons” came from the Americas. Europeans would not stoop to their level.Advantages of Potato to the European EconomyMore productive than other cropsWhole family could be supported on a single acre of productionHighly nutritiousNutritionally complete when combined with dairy productsVery cheap to produceStore wellResisted destruction during conflictsPotato Culture in Ireland- Replaced grains as staple crop by mid 1700sAGRI 116 1nd Edition Lecture 7 Outline of Last Lecture I. Classical BreedingII. The Green Revolutiona. Criticisms III.LandracesIV. Transgenic CropsV. Preserving Genetic DiversityOutline of Current Lecture II. Potatoes- By the Numbers!III. Potato BiologyIV. Potato Center of Origin and CultureV. Potatoes in EuropeCurrent LecturePotatoes- By the Numbers!There’s about 5 thousand potato varieties world wide.Leading potato-producing country: China!- Potatoes are a major export for AsiaUnited States- We (the US) consume more potatoes than we produce- Colorado 4th leading state in US potato productionTop two Leading Potato Consuming Countries: Belarus and KyrgyzstanHow many pounds of potatoes does the average American consume each year? 116lbs These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Potato Biology Botanically what kind of plant is the potato? The potato, Solanum tuberosum, is a member of the nightshade family of plants. Solanaceae).Nightshade Family VegetablesClose relatives of potatoes- tomatoes, peppers (chile, jalenpeno), eggplant, tomatillo? (all edible members of the Nightshade family)Belladonna- Deadly nightshade  Solanine- Secondary plant compound- Glycoalkaloid poison- Toxic in small quantities- Works as a plant’s natural defense Plant anatomy—what kind of plant part is the potato? It is a modified stem also known as a tuber.- Tuber function: Nutrient storage and asexual reproduction- The tubers (below ground) don’t have much solanine in it but the leaves above ground do. Potato “eyes” - modified leave structures on the tuber (a modified stem)- They are the growth point for new plants. Growing Potatoes- By using true seeding or by planting pieces of already grown potatoes that contain one or more eye- Potatoes are mainly propagated asexually- Potatoes grown to produce other potatoes are known as “seed potatoes”They are grown under special conditions to eliminate contamination with viruses and diseases. Potato Fruit- Potatoes produce fruit from pollinated flowers.- Potatoes can be grown from seeds extracted from the potato fruit.- The potato fruit contains a lot of Solanine that will make you very sick! Potato Center of Origin and Culture The Center of Origin for the Potato- Mountains of Peru/Bolivia Historical archeological clues- Peruvian people believed that all beneficial plants were personified by goddesses (Axo-mama: Peruvian goddess of the potato)- DNA Markers A little Variety is a Good Thing- Increased variety in center of origin potations productionPros:- Disease resistance- Increase land utilization- Higher yield within and across field plots- Higher chance of “stumbling” across new varietiesCons: - Loss of synchrony of germination/ flowering/ harvest across the entire mountainside cropping system BUT! If you become a master of potatoes, you will have food all year round Origin of Potato (don’t need to know this)- Oldest archaeological evidence- 8 to 10 thousand years ago- Peru-Bolivia to Chile region considered center of domestication- Widely distributed (Colombia –Chile) by Spanish Conquest- Original European introductions- Spanish ca. 1570- English ca. 1580 Potato culture in Europe – widespread acceptance not until