Presenter: Shu Zhang

Title: "Climate Change Impacts on Potato Storage and Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based Study"

 Date/Time: April 4, 2025, 1:00 pm via web conference. If you wish to attend the public presentation, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator at gsc@upei.ca to receive the link.

Potato production, which encompasses both cultivation and storage, is vital for food security and the economy. However, this process faces significant challenges due to climate change, and the interplay between carbon sequestration and emissions during production creates uncertainty regarding its role in mitigating climate change. While the effects of climate change on potato cultivation have been previously examined, the impacts on potato storage have not been comprehensively explored. Furthermore, although greenhouse gas emissions from operations such as fertilization and carbon sequestration by potato plants are studied separately, the results have not been integrated for a holistic analysis. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of climate change on potato storage and to estimate the carbon flux associated with potato production, thereby clarifying its role in global warming.

The review indicates climate change can adversely affect potato storage, mainly through increased tuber sprouting and a higher disease prevalence in storage environments. Lower Sielianinov coefficient values signify dry and hot conditions during the vegetative season and can lead to earlier sprouting. For instance, a decrease of 0.05 in the Sielianinov coefficient results in earlier sprouting of 25 and 15 days for tubers stored at 3 °C and 5 °C, respectively. Conversely, higher Sielianinov coefficient values may exacerbate disease issues, further complicating storage conditions.

To estimate the carbon flux of potato production, three scenarios are discussed: Scenario 1 represents the worst-case scenario, where potato production has maximum emissions and minimum sequestration, identifying it as a carbon source with a carbon flux of 12112.710 kg CO2 eq ha⁻¹ season⁻¹. In contrast, Scenario 2, the best-case scenario, features maximum sequestration and minimum emissions, classifying it as a carbon sink with carbon fluxes of -12809.247 kg CO2 eq ha⁻¹ season⁻¹. Scenario 3, representing average emissions and sequestration, also acts as a carbon sink, with a carbon flux of -287.957 kg CO2 eq ha⁻¹ season⁻¹. Notably, all potato production operations contribute to carbon emissions, with fertilization being a primary source, averaging 1219.235 kg CO2 eq ha⁻¹ season⁻¹.

This study highlights that climate change introduces negative uncertainties for potato storage, while the entire potato production process can function as either a carbon source or a carbon sink, depending on the production scenario. Optimizing farming practices, including cultivar selection, tillage methods, fertilization, and irrigation, is essential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration during potato production. Addressing these factors is crucial for promoting sustainable potato production in the context of climate change.

Everyone is welcome.