The humble Potato the true emperor of the serfs.

The potato had a huge impact on Europe allowing nations that had historically trouble feeding it's citizens to boom in population, most famously Ireland. So my question is if it had been more widely used by Europe 2 centuries earlier when they were discovered how would that have effected European demography, cultures, religions, etc.
 
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The potato was common and widely available across Europe by at least the late 1500s and you can't really speed it up further. In 1588 botanist Carolus Clusius reported potatoes were available in the Low Countries and in 1601 were in common use in northern Italy for animal fodder and for human consumption. But I think I understand your question. Until the 17-1800s the potato was a garden plant, not really a major crop. The reason for that was in your question, " nations that had historically trouble feeding it's citizens". Up until the famines of the 17-1800s Europe generally didn't have a problem feeding people. It was when other crops proved insufficient to feed everyone that farmland was converted to potatoes.

Your POD results in lots of potatoes rotting in the field since the demand isn't really there to support the potato as a major crop until the population rises and a cheap plentiful food source becomes necessary. Why have potatoes as a main course when you can have meat and bread? You're going to have to make the populace of Europe hungry and poor before they'll switch.

If the little ice age comes early or some other reason for major crop failures occurs then Europe will increase potato production earlier.
 
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