The Legacy of Phytophthora infestans: Reshaping Agriculture and Driving Scientific Discovery
A microscopic 'plant destroyer' not only helped trigger one of the deadliest famines in modern history but also reshaped global agriculture and gave birth to an entirely new scientific discipline. Now, nearly 180 years after the Irish Potato Famine devastated Ireland and altered the course of human history, researchers are tracing the remarkable scientific journey of the organism behind it: Phytophthora infestans and the larger genus, Phytophthora.
The study also reveals that people in low-performing organizations are more likely to look to others working elsewhere to access new knowledge and practices, while those in high-performing organizations prefer to seek help from colleagues. The research suggests that low-performing, risk-tolerant organizations could benefit most from searching across boundaries for new knowledge.