What a Painfully Interesting Subject Charles Darwin’s Studies of Potato Late Blight

• Published in: Bioscience Vol. 66; no. 12; pp. 1035 - 1045
• Main Authors: RISTAINO, JEAN BEAGLE, PFISTER, DONALD H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.12.2016
• Subjects: Evolutionary biology; Expeditions; Famine; Food security; Overview Articles; Pathogens; Plant diseases; Population growth; Potatoes; Scientists; Vegetables; Chiloe Island; Ireland

Charles Darwin’s famous voyage on the HMS Beagle led him around the world on a collecting journey that culminated in his theory of evolution. In 1835, the Beagle traveled to the island of Chiloé, and there, Darwin discovered and sent potatoes back to England. Darwin’s interest in the potato and pota...