Chinese scientists rush to climate-proof potatoes

In a research facility in Beijing, molecular biologist Li Jieping and his team grow small potatoes under higher temperature conditions, revealing a concerning sign for future food security in China, the world’s largest potato producer. The study, published in Climate Smart Agriculture, shows that increased temperatures accelerate tuber growth but reduce yields by more than half, prompting the need for heat-tolerant potato varieties to adapt to climate change. The International Potato Center collaborates with the Chinese government to develop solutions for farmers facing extreme weather events and the threat of crop diseases in a warming climate.

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