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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Scientists point to Andes potato pathogen as origin of Irish famine

Potato blight microbe on leaves
Phytophthora infestans lesions on potato leaves. Scientists carried out an analysis of the microbe genomes from South America and Mexico. Photograph: Nigel Cattlin/Alamy

It was a disaster that killed about 1 million people, devastating 19th century Ireland, but while the potato disease linked to the Irish famine is well known, a battle has raged over where it originated.

Scientists have long been divided over whether the fungus-like pathogen Phtytophthora infestans cropped up in the Andes or originated in Mexico.

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