Impact of Climate Change on Potato

Abstract

Potato, a native of temperate region was introduced in India and adapted to tropical short-day conditions where it covers >80% of total potato area. The crop is very sensitive to climatic variability, and therefore, the climate change and global warming will have a profound effect on potato growth in India. Even moderately high temperature drastically reduces tuber yield without much affecting the photosynthesis and total biomass production. Besides, high temperature affects tuber quality by causing heat sprouting and internal necrosis. The effect of elevated CO2 concentration suggests positive effect on growth and yield with only few negative influences. Study on the impact assessment of climate change on potato production using INFOCROP-POTATO model showed that the potato production will increase by 11.12% at elevated CO2 of 550 ppm and 1°C rise in temperature but further increase in CO2 to 550 ppm with a likely rise in temperature to 3°C will result in decline in potato production by 13.72% in the year 2050. The effect of elevated temperature on late blight at global level revealed that with rise in global temperature of 2°C, there will be lower risk of late blight in warmer areas ( 13°C) with early onset of the epidemics. Global warming will have a serious repercussion on viral diseases through the altered biology of insect vectors. The increase in temperature will enhance vector population thereby increasing the number of insecticide sprays for keeping the vector population in check. The effects of temperature and CO2 on potato growth and development, productivity, diseases and insect pests, and quality have been discussed in the present communication. Besides, regional vulnerability to climate change and adaptation measures for climate change and global warming are also discussed.