An international team of researchers has made an important discovery in the fight against the potato blight that caused the Irish Famine in the 1840s. Researchers from The Sainsbury Lab in the UK and ... In the mid-19th century, a microscopic invader swept across Ireland, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.

Understanding the Context

The potato blight, caused by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora infestans, triggered ... Late blight has been found in potato fields in western Minnesota and North Dakota's Walsh County, the state's leading potato producer. The highly contagious fungus, which caused the disastrous Irish ... The first accurate maps of outbreaks of potato blight — a disease caused by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora infestans that was responsible for the Irish potato famine between 1845 and 1852 — in ...

Key Insights

Irish Central: New study traces outbreak of potato blight that caused Great Hunger to North America New study traces outbreak of potato blight that caused Great Hunger to North America Irish Central: Finally, a genetic cure for blight that caused Irish Famine found MSN: Scientists finally solve the mystery of the Irish potato blight’s origins. It came from the Andes Scientists finally solve the mystery of the Irish potato blight’s origins. It came from the Andes The evolution of differing strains of Phytophthora infestans, a major cause of late-blight disease on potato and tomato plants, was studied and recently featured in “Scientific Reports.” Plant ... WRAL: Potato power: Student wins $250,000 prize for blight solution that could save billions New York student Benjamin "Benjy" Firester has won one of the United States' top young science prizes for his research on the devastating microorganism which caused the Irish Potato Famine, devising a ... Potato power: Student wins $250,000 prize for blight solution that could save billions Grand Forks Herald: Late blight found in North Dakota, Minnesota potato fields EurekAlert!: Plant disease: Mapping the spread of potato blight prior to the Irish potato famine *IMAGES* Plant disease: Mapping the spread of potato blight prior to the Irish potato famine *IMAGES* US-based scientists have compiled the first-ever maps detailing how potato blight first hit North America in the mid-19th century before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and causing the Great Hunger in ...

Final Thoughts