Biotechnology promises potatoes more resistant to high temperatures

Published Jan 15, 2025

Tridge summary

A new breakthrough in genetic engineering by the University of Illinois, led by the RIPE project, has created genetically modified potatoes that can enhance their productivity by up to 30% under extreme temperatures without sacrificing nutritional quality. These potatoes, subjected to trials with success in facing temperatures above 35°C for four consecutive days and over 38°C on two occasions, demonstrate resilience that traditional plants do not have. This innovation not only addresses the challenges posed by climate change to potato crops but also has the potential to be extended to other tubers like cassava, crucial in sub-Saharan Africa. The study's findings underscore the vital role of biotechnology in ensuring food security amidst a warming planet.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Climate change is intensifying high temperatures, creating a critical situation in the production of essential crops worldwide, such as potatoes. In agricultural regions such as Los Lagos and La Araucanía, where temperatures peaked at over 32 degrees, this would be decreasing soil yields and threatening the economic stability of farmers. However, a scientific advance led by the University of Illinois in the United States could change this panorama: these are genetically modified potatoes capable of withstanding extreme conditions, increasing their productivity by 30% without losing nutritional quality. As part of the RIPE (Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency) project, a team from the University of Illinois achieved a significant advance by genetically improving the photosynthetic pathway of potatoes. This development allowed the plants to withstand extreme temperatures, increasing the mass of their tubers by 30% during heat waves, without compromising their nutritional ...

Source: Portaldelcampo