Core Insights - The research conducted by the team led by Academician Huang Sanwen reveals the hybrid origin of the potato group, the formation of tubers, and their radiation differentiation, providing a new theoretical perspective for potato genetic breeding [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - The potato group originated from an ancient hybridization event between the tomato group and the solanum group approximately 9 million years ago, resulting in the formation of tubers [1] - The study analyzed high-quality genomic data from 101 potato group samples, 15 tomato group samples, 9 solanum group samples, and 19 other nightshade species, with most genomic data being reused [2] - The genetic contribution from tomatoes and solanum to all potato individuals was found to be in a stable balance, with a ratio of approximately 4:6 [2] Group 2: Evolutionary Insights - The divergence between solanum and tomatoes began around 14 million years ago, with hybridization occurring approximately 5 million years later, leading to the earliest potato plants with tubers around 9 million years ago [2] - The study concludes that potatoes are a hybrid species resulting from the crossbreeding of solanum and tomatoes, with tomatoes serving as the maternal parent and solanum as the paternal parent [2]