<P> One author postulated that the origin of I. batatas was between the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and the mouth of the Orinoco River in Venezuela . The cultigen had most likely been spread by local people to the Caribbean and South America by 2500 BC . Strong supporting evidence was provided that the geographical zone postulated by Austin is the primary center of diversity . The much lower molecular diversity found in Peru -- Ecuador suggests this region should be considered as a secondary center of sweet potato diversity . </P>
where did the first sweet potato come from
between the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and the mouth of the Orinoco River in Venezuela