In a research facility located in the northwest of Beijing, molecular biologist Li Jieping and his team have been examining the effects of climate change on potato yields. They have produced a cluster of seven unusually small potatoes, with one being as tiny as a quail's egg, under simulated conditions of higher temperatures forecasted for the end of the century. This experiment highlights concerns regarding future food security, as the potatoes harvested weighed just 136 grams, substantially less than the average weight of potatoes in China.
As the leading producer of potatoes globally, China plays a vital role in maintaining food security, given potatoes' high yield compared to other staple crops. However, the susceptibility of potatoes to heat poses a challenge, especially as climate change exacerbates temperature increases, drought, and flooding. In response, Li, affiliated with the International Potato Center (CIP) in Beijing, is spearheading a three-year investigation to understand how elevated temperatures impact China's primary potato varieties.
Li's research involves cultivating potatoes in a controlled environment that mimics conditions 3 degrees Celsius warmer than the current average in the potato-growing regions of northern Hebei and Inner Mongolia. The findings, detailed in the journal Climate Smart Agriculture, reveal that while higher temperatures may hasten tuber development by 10 days, they also result in a reduction of yields by more than half. This outcome underscores the urgency of addressing climate change, with current policies potentially leading to a 3.1 C increase in global temperatures by 2100, as indicated in a recent United Nations report.
Source: Reuters