(from the article `Irish Potato Famine`) ...years. The crop failures were caused by late blight, a disease that destroys both the leaves and the edible roots, or tubers, of the potato plant. ... ...for those who depend on the crop for food. Major disease outbreaks among food crops have led to famines and mass migrations throughout histo... Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/p/101
Disease of the potato caused by a parasitic fungus Phytophthora infestans. It was the cause of the 1845 potato famine in Ireland. New strains of P. infestans continue to arise. The most virulent version so far is P. infestans US-8, which arose in Mexico in 1992 , spreading to North Americ... Found on https://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/21221