Irish Lumper
Variety of potato
The Irish Lumper is a potato variety that was widely cultivated in Ireland before and during the Great Famine of the mid-19th century. Known for its resilience in poor soil conditions, the Irish Lumper was a staple food for the Irish population, particularly among the rural poor.
History[edit | edit source]
The Irish Lumper potato was introduced to Ireland in the early 19th century. It quickly became popular due to its ability to grow in the country's challenging climate and soil conditions. The potato's high yield and nutritional value made it a crucial component of the Irish diet.
During the Great Famine (1845-1852), the Irish Lumper was one of the primary potato varieties affected by Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen responsible for potato blight. The blight devastated potato crops across Ireland, leading to widespread famine and emigration.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
The Irish Lumper is known for its knobby, irregular shape and thick skin. It has a waxy texture and a slightly bitter taste, which made it less desirable compared to other potato varieties. However, its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions made it a reliable crop for subsistence farmers.
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
The Irish Lumper was traditionally grown in small plots by tenant farmers. Its cultivation required minimal inputs, making it an ideal crop for the impoverished rural population. The potato's resilience to poor soil and harsh weather conditions contributed to its widespread adoption.
Revival[edit | edit source]
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the Irish Lumper as part of efforts to preserve heritage crops. Some farmers and agricultural organizations have begun cultivating the variety again, both for its historical significance and as a means of promoting agricultural biodiversity.
Cultural Impact[edit | edit source]
The Irish Lumper is often associated with the Great Famine and is a symbol of the hardships faced by the Irish people during that period. Its history is a reminder of the vulnerability of monoculture agriculture and the importance of crop diversity.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
