Potato and Tuber Crops

Origin and History

• The probable centre of origin of potato is the central Andean (peru in perticular) region of South America.
• Evidence indicates that potatoes were cultivated for centuries by South American Indians and the tubers were used as common food.
• The Spanish people brought potato from Peru to Spain in 1565.
• Sir Francis Drake probably brought it to England around 1586.
• Following its introduction into European agriculture, potato became an important food crop.
• Potato was introduced to India from Europe in the beginning of the seventeenth century, probably by the Portuguese, who were the first to open trade routes to the east.