How do potato tubers grow into new plants?
Potato tubers grow into new plants through a process known as vegetative reproduction, a form of asexual reproduction where a new organism develops from a part of the parent plant.1
In the case of the potato (Solanum tuberosum), the tuber is a fleshy, swollen underground stem. These tubers feature spirally arranged buds, commonly referred to as "eyes," which are located in the axils of aborted leaves. Under the proper environmental conditions, these buds sprout and develop into new individual plants.12
Because this method produces clones of the parent plant, it is widely used in commercial agriculture to ensure that desired characteristics are maintained in the offspring. However, because these plants are genetically identical, they share the same vulnerabilities to diseases and pests.21