The increase in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere can have a positive influence on the potato yield. This is according to Anton Haverkort of Plant Research International, part of Wageningen UR, on 22 August during the bi-annual Potato Demo Day at Westmaas. Haverkort: "From international research it has become clear that most other plants do not react as positively to the increase of this hothouse gas."
In 2050 the concentration of CO2 is expected to have increased to 550 parts per million (ppm). That is almost 50% higher than it is now. CO2 is a kind of 'manure' for plants: the plant is dependent on CO2 for its growth. For potatoes growing under Dutch climate conditions the increase in the concentration of CO2 could lead to 30% higher yield.
As a result of the worldwide increase in the CO2 concentration the temperature will increase. For the Netherlands this is expected to result in three extra frost-free weeks in 2050. Therefore the potatoes can be planted earlier resulting in a longer growing and producing period. According to Haverkort this should cause another 20% increase in yield.
The increase in yield means that the price of the Dutch potato per kilo produced will markedly decrease with its CO2 footprint. Haverkort expects that this footprint will also decrease strongly because of the availability of potato varieties with resistance to phytophthora. As a result potato growers will less often be forced to enter the fields by tractor in order to attack the sickness chemically.
Source: Plant Research International - Wageningen UR