Scientists developing potatoes that could withstand heatwaves
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Scientists are developing potatoes that could withstand heatwaves to help crops grow in a future affected by climate change. A team of researchers carried out field trials at a single location in the US state of Illinois and observed that an adapted plant grew up to 30% more potatoes under heat stress.
This was done by adding two genes to modify a process called photorespiration to improve efficiency, leaving more energy for greater growth. Authors of the paper, published in the journal Global Change Biology, described the step as “a promising avenue for yield increases in the face of a warming planet”.
Multi-location field trials are needed to confirm the team’s findings in varying environments. A team led by Dr Katherine Meacham-Hensold and made up of people from the University of Illinois (UIUC) and the University of Essex worked on the project. This work could have a huge impact in the developing world and help safeguard crops for the people on the frontline of climate change.
Dr Meacham-Hensold, of the Realising Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (Ripe) project led by the UIUC, said the work aimed to meet needs for food in the face of global warming. “We need to produce crops that can withstand more frequent and intense heatwave events if we are going to meet the population’s need for food in regions most at risk from reduced yields due to global warming,” she said.
