Biotechnology promises potatoes more resistant to high temperatures

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 ...