Climate Change: Heat and drought drastically reduce potato yields
Each degree above 16.5 °C can decrease 6.4 tons per hectare
Extreme heat and lack of rainfall are severely impacting potato production, a crop essential for food security. According to a study by the Swiss center Agroscope , each additional degree Celsius above 16.5°C reduces yield by 6.4 t/ha , equivalent to a 14.8% decrease per degree.
The research analyzed data from 1990 to 2021 in the Western Alps, concluding that 50% of yield variability is due to environmental factors, such as temperature, rainfall, and location. Climate models predict a temperature increase of up to 7.2°C by 2085 and a 42.8% reduction in summer precipitation.
Two keys to confronting climate change
Selection of varieties resistant to heat and drought.
a) Cultivation methods adapted to the terrain and local conditions.
b) Loss of performance projections|
· 2035 : between -3% and -16%
· 2050–2060 : between -5.4% and -50.3%
· 2080 : up to -84%
Starch content in potatoes remains more stable due to genetic variability , highlighting the urgency of breeding more resilient and adapted varieties .
Meta description:
Extreme heat reduces potato yields by up to 6.4 tons per hectare per degree. Study suggests key measures to address climate change.
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