SCIENTISTS LOOKING INTO MAKING POTATOES MORE RESISTANT TO CLIMATE CHANGE UPDATE ON TOLERANCE FINDINGS.
FEDERAL scientists in Atlantic Canada who are trying to develop a new breed of potato better equipped to deal with climate change, have now evaluated 384 diploid potato clones for drought tolerance and plant maturity.
Of those, 127 were found to be late-maturing and tolerant to drought conditions while nine were early to moderate-late maturing and drought tolerant.
Bourlaye Fofana, a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, who is leading the research team in Charlottetown explained that they have examined wild potato varieties native to the South American Andes that show potential to help the development of a more drought-resistant potato for North American markets.
Bourlaye said he’s “very excited” about the potential of the research findings.
“Because in our collection we have diploid (potatoes) that are early maturing and this means you can plant it and it can give you an expected yield as early as possible,” he said. “We also have some clones that can grow over a longer period of time.”
The research is seen as an important first step scientifically. About 50 of the most promising clones are being turned over to the department’s breeding program in Fredericton for further study.
At the Fredericton facility, the potato clones will be evaluated for size and shape along with yield potential and cooking and processing traits. After that they could be released as potato varieties, or their seeds, plants or plant parts can be used in potato breeding.
Boulaye said building resilience in crops is becoming increasingly important as conditions grow drier and hotter, even in prime growing areas in Atlantic Canada.
“With climate change the frequency of drought is increasing, especially where water resources are limited,” he said. “So we need to be proactive and see how we can adapt our crop and cropping system to meet these new challenges.”
Source: Pique News Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
