A study conducted by the University of Prince Edward Island's Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, along with the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering and the Department of Agriculture and Land, has been published in the journal Foods. This research utilizes advanced climate modeling to forecast the impact of global warming on potato farming in Prince Edward Island (PEI), a leading potato-producing region in Canada. The study, titled "Assessing Future Climate Change Impacts on Potato Yields — A Case Study for Prince Edward Island, Canada," indicates a potential dramatic decrease in potato yields by the century's end due to climate change.
Employing the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) alongside the latest IPCC climate models, the research team, including Xiuquan Wang and colleagues Toyin Adekanmbi, Sana Basheer, Rana Ali Nawaz, Tianze Pang, Yulin Hu, and Suqi Liu, projects a decline in potato yields ranging from 6-10% in low-emission scenarios to 48-60% by the 2070s, potentially reaching an 80% reduction by the 2090s under high-emission scenarios. These projections underscore the vulnerability of PEI's potato industry to climate change, emphasizing the importance of adaptation strategies.
The study highlights the critical role of changing climate conditions, such as temperature increases and variable precipitation, on potato growth. It suggests that despite some benefits from higher CO2 levels, decreased precipitation significantly impacts yields. The research advocates for the development and implementation of climate adaptation measures, including the optimization of farming practices and the introduction of supplemental irrigation systems.
Source: potatonewstoday.com