Exploring the Possibilities: The CO2 Fertilization Effect
Results of a recent study on the reaction of spring and summer potatoes to climate change in South Korea are presented in the journal “Potato Research.”
Scientists from the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus and the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) performed the study, which looks at how the potato crop is affected by global warming and proposes adaptation methods.
“Our results show that the CO2 fertilization effect can offset the negative effects of rising temperatures and increase yields of spring potatoes by up to 60 percent if planting times are adjusted,” Dr. Yean-Uk Kim, the main author of the study and scientist at ZALF, explained.
The phenomenon known as the “CO2 fertilization effect” refers to how increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations can enhance plants’ ability to photosynthesize, resulting in quicker growth and greater yields.
According to research, in moderate climate change scenarios, planting spring potatoes early is advised. The researchers propose developing heat-tolerant cultivars as a means of adaptation for increasingly extreme climate change scenarios. Regardless of the environment, the goal for summer potatoes would be to increase their endurance to high temperatures.
“Our results are important for developing long-term food security strategies and sustainable agricultural practices in the region. This is an example of how combinations of agricultural and climate models can contribute to the development of effective regional adaptation strategies,” Kim added.
The next step for the researchers is to look at how additional extreme weather events – which were not included in the present study – would impact agricultural productivity. This will help them better understand the challenges that farmers are facing as a result of climate change and develop more practical adaptations.