Hot Potatoes

With advancing climate change have potatoes had their chips?

Looking back over the International Year of the Potato, Marco Bindi (University of Florence) answers the question "What effect will global warming have on the potato?"

"Since potato's tuberization rate declines above a temperature of 17°C, increasing temperatures may lead to reduced yields in potato varieties now cultivated close to the upper climatic limits of the crop that would not be recovered by higher levels of carbon dioxide" says Bindi. Conversely, in northern Europe, simulations have shown that a warmer climate would bring about a longer growing season and increase in potato yields. Increases in temperature may also open up new regions available to potato growing that were previously too cold. However, the global picture for potatoes in a warming climate is poor. "The most vulnerable area is the tropical belts" says Bindi, "where the loss [in yield] could be more than 50 percent". Arid regions currently used for potato production will also see a drop in productivity due to water shortages.

Pests and diseases

Changes in climate also result in mixed consequences for pests and diseases of potato. Bindi predicts that late blight could increase significantly, but that the new zones for production opening up further north will have minimal blight risk. Research also indicates increases in the diffusion of Colorado beetle in Europe and increases in the regions infested by potato cyst nematode are expected.

Adapting to climate change

Bindi has a number of suggestions to aid in the adaptation to a changing climate. These include consideration of planting date, use of different varieties and improving soil water supply. Bindi adds "Another strategy is shifting potato production towards areas of higher productivity or areas where there is currently no potato production".

References

FAO, 2009. International Year of the Potato 2008 - New light on a hidden treasure. An end-of-year review. FAO, Rome, Italy: 136 pp.

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