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

DARK SECRETS: Scientists point to andes potato pathogen as origin of irish famine | Rare Historical Photos

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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