Leena Watts
Potatoes are the most important non-grain crop in the world, and they are a staple food for many. As the climate changes, potato production is affected by rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and water scarcity. These factors can lead to lower crop yields and even simultaneous crop failures in several regions, threatening global food security. To combat these challenges, farmers can adapt by shifting production areas, improving water use, and breeding new potato varieties that are more tolerant of abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, and salinity. Additionally, the development of genetically modified (GM) potatoes that are optimized for different ambient temperatures and resistant to heatwaves is an area of exploration. However, the acceptance of GM crops varies across regions, with stricter regulations in the EU compared to the US. Understanding the impact of climate change on potato yields is crucial for ensuring sustainable food systems and global food security.
Why are potatoes limited on a climate change diet?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) have negative effects on potato crops, from physiological damage such as brown spots on tubers, to slower growth, premature sprouting, and lower starch content. |
| Water scarcity | Climate change can cause water scarcity due to drought, heat waves, and flooding, which can negatively impact potato crops. |
| Pest and pathogen threats | Climate change can alter pathogen and host interactions, increasing the rates of pathogen infection and the resistance of the host plant. Insects that previously had only two breeding cycles per year could gain an additional cycle if warm growing seasons extend, causing a population boom. |
| Cultivation techniques | Developing innovative varieties with relevant tolerance to abiotic stress is necessary to guarantee competitive production under sub-optimal environments. |
| CO2 fertilisation | Rising CO2 levels can impact potato yields, with some studies suggesting it could be more important than other mean climatic changes. |
| Genetic modification | Genetically modified (GM) potatoes have been developed to be more resistant to heatwaves and other climate change stressors, yielding up to 30% more potatoes under extreme stress. |
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What You'll Learn
Potato crops are sensitive to temperature changes
Potatoes are a staple food with a wide agro-climatic range and are consumed both fresh and as a raw material for processed foods such as chips and starch. They are also a source of nutrition with high carbohydrate and low-fat content, along with vitamins and minerals. However, potato crops are sensitive to temperature changes, and climate change poses a significant threat to potato production.
Temperature plays a crucial role in potato cultivation. Potatoes thrive in temperate climates, and temperature changes in either direction can negatively impact potato crops. Temperatures above 30°C can cause physiological damage to potato plants, such as brown spots on tubers, slower growth, premature sprouting, and reduced starch content. These issues ultimately lead to reduced crop yield, affecting both the number and weight of tubers. As a result, regions with temperatures near the upper limit of the potato's temperature range, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, are likely to experience significant reductions in potato crop yields as temperatures continue to rise.
On the other hand, lower temperatures also present challenges for potato cultivation. While they generally support stable crop yields, they carry the risk of frost damage to the plants. Thus, both high and low-temperature extremes can adversely affect potato production.
Climate change, with its associated temperature increases, intensifies the challenges for potato growers. Warmer temperatures can alter the developmental stages of plant pathogens that affect potato crops, such as Dickeya, the cause of potato blackleg disease. Additionally, higher temperatures facilitate the spread of pests and diseases. For example, the potato tuber moth and the Colorado potato beetle are predicted to spread into areas that are currently too cold for them. Moreover, warmer temperatures can lead to increased water scarcity, drought, and heatwaves, further compounding the challenges for potato cultivation.
To mitigate the impacts of climate change on potato crops, several strategies can be employed. Developing potato cultivars with greater heat stress tolerance and drought resistance is crucial. This involves improving water use efficiency and creating potatoes that can recover from short drought periods while still producing acceptable yields. Additionally, faster-growing potatoes that can adjust to shorter growing seasons can help counter the effects of reduced growth rates in warmer temperatures. The development of genetically modified (GM) potatoes that are optimized for different ambient temperatures and exhibit increased heatwave resistance is also a promising approach.
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Water scarcity and quality impact potato growth
The photosynthetic process in potatoes is affected by water restriction, leading to leaf stomatal closure, increased leaf temperature, reduced CO2 diffusion, and decreased photosynthesis. This results in reduced plant growth and yield. The impact of water scarcity on potato growth is influenced by factors such as soil type, potato variety, and irrigation methods. Different potato varieties have varying levels of tolerance to water deficit, and strategic irrigation during critical periods can help maximize yields.
Climate change exacerbates water scarcity issues, with rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns affecting potato yields. The interaction between temperature, CO2 concentration, and precipitation significantly impacts tuber yields, and water scarcity due to climate change can limit potato production in certain regions.
Water quality also plays a role in potato growth. Climate change can increase soil salinity, which, along with temperature and water scarcity, can negatively impact potato production. Additionally, excessive fertilization can affect water quality and restrict potato growth. Maintaining water quality and availability is crucial for sustainable potato production.
To address water scarcity and quality issues, farmers can employ strategies such as deficit irrigation, which involves applying water strategically during specific growth stages, and selecting potato varieties with higher tolerance to water deficit conditions. Climate adaptation measures and sustainable water management practices are essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change on potato growth and ensure food security.
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Climate change affects potato diseases and pests
Climate change is expected to have a significant impact on potato production, and this includes the distribution and population of pests and diseases that affect potatoes. Insects are the most diverse animal taxa, and some species will benefit from the changes, including notable agricultural pests and disease vectors. Warmer growing seasons may allow some insects to gain an additional breeding cycle, leading to a population boom. For example, the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic in British Columbia, Canada, was partially caused by warmer winters that failed to slow or kill the growing beetle larvae. Similarly, the potato tuber moth and the Colorado potato beetle are predicted to spread to areas that are currently too cold for them.
The developmental stages of plant pathogens that can affect crops may also be altered by climate change. For instance, pathogens associated with potato blackleg disease, such as Dickeya, grow and reproduce faster at higher temperatures. Aphids, which act as vectors for many potato viruses, will also be able to spread further due to increased temperatures. Warmer temperatures are also expected to elevate food safety issues and food spoilage caused by mycotoxin-producing fungi and bacteria such as Salmonella.
In addition, the effects of climate change on the water cycle will mean that both wet seasons and drought seasons will become more intense. Increased rainfall in some areas will lead to increased atmospheric humidity and the duration of wet seasons. Combined with higher temperatures, these conditions could favour the development of fungal diseases, such as late blight, or bacterial infections such as Ralstonia solanacearum, which may also be able to spread more easily through flash flooding.
To reduce the negative impacts of climate change on potato production, traits such as heat stress tolerance, drought tolerance, and fast growth/early maturation can be selected for in potato breeding programs.
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Potato yields are decreasing due to climate change
The photosynthetic process in potatoes is affected by water restriction, and this relationship is associated with stomatal closure and mesophyll conductance. Higher temperatures can cause physiological damage to potatoes, such as brown spots on tubers, slower growth, premature sprouting, and lower starch content. These effects reduce crop yield, impacting both the number and weight of tubers. Temperatures above 33°C can inhibit tuber growth, and areas with temperatures near this limit, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, are likely to suffer large reductions in potato crop yields.
Climate change can also affect the distribution and population of potato diseases and pests. Warmer temperatures can lead to an increase in rainfall in some areas, resulting in higher atmospheric humidity and more prolonged wet seasons. These conditions, combined with higher temperatures, can favor the development of fungal diseases, such as late blight, and bacterial infections, such as Ralstonia solanacearum. Insects with previously limited breeding cycles may gain additional cycles, causing a population boom. For example, the potato tuber moth and Colorado potato beetle are predicted to spread into areas that were previously too cold for them.
To mitigate the impacts of climate change on potato yields, various cultivation techniques and genetic enhancements are being explored. Developing potato varieties with greater tolerance to abiotic stress, such as heat stress, drought, and salinity, is crucial for maintaining yields in vulnerable regions. Additionally, faster-growing potatoes that can adjust to shorter growing seasons and reduce the number of pest life cycles are being considered. Climate adaptation strategies, such as shifting planting dates or varieties, are also important for farmers to ensure sustainable production.
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GM potatoes may be the answer to climate change
As a staple food with wide agro-climatic zones, the potato is an important crop for food security worldwide. However, climate change poses a significant threat to potato production, as it necessitates specific amounts and qualities of water, and temperature increases above 33°C inhibit tuber growth. This is especially concerning given that the contribution of potatoes to the global food supply is increasing, with consumption more than doubling in developing countries between 1960 and 2005.
To address the challenges posed by climate change, researchers have turned to genetically modified (GM) crops as a potential solution. GM crops have been shown to contribute to the alleviation of the effects of climate change, and new calculations reveal that their impact may be even greater than previously thought. By increasing crop yields, GM crops reduce the need to clear new land for agricultural production, thereby preventing additional CO2 emissions.
In the case of potatoes, GM technology has been used to develop cultivars with higher yields that are also resistant to heatwaves and other stressors. These GM potatoes may be the answer to ensuring stable potato production in the face of climate change. For example, Swedish researchers have developed biosensors to boost agricultural production amidst climate change, and researchers have identified the best gene to provide potatoes with resistance against late blight.
While some people may have objections to GMO crops, it is important to consider the potential benefits of this technology in mitigating the impacts of climate change on our food systems. As climate change continues to threaten potato yields, GM potatoes may become an increasingly attractive option for farmers and policymakers seeking to ensure food security.
Overall, while further research and analysis are needed, GM potatoes hold promise as a potential solution to the challenges posed by climate change to potato production and global food security.
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