In the mid-19th century, a microscopic invader swept across Ireland, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The potato ...

A genetic investigation has finally tracked down the source of the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine, closing a case that has been up in the air for years. Researchers nailed down the Andes ...

Scientists have discovered new evidence that the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine may have originated thousands of miles away. A study that examined the DNA of Phytophthora (P.) ...

Researchers firmly point the finger at the South American Andes Mountains as the place where the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phtytophthora infestans, originated. Call it a mystery solved.

Also referred to as "The Great Hunger", the Famine, which was caused by a potato blight, lasted between 1845 and 1849, decimating Ireland's population and resulting in emigration on an ...

However, the famine worsened when the potato harvest failed again in 1846 due to the potato blight. The British government did try and help a little. In 1846, Prime Minister Robert Peel ordered £ ...

North Carolina State University researchers firmly point the finger at the South American Andes Mountains as the place where the Irish potato famine pathogen ... still causes late-blight disease ...