Sustainable potato production in a changing climate: Challenges and innovations

Climate change presents a major threat to global agriculture, primarily due to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. As the third most important food crop after rice and wheat, potatoes play a crucial role in achieving food security and alleviating malnutrition due to their high productivity and nutritional value. However, potato cultivation remains highly susceptible to environmental stressors, with projections indicating a potential 32 % reduction in tuber yield by 2050. Climate-induced stress influences the virulence and population dynamics of pests and pathogens, heightening the risk of sudden outbreaks due to increased host susceptibility. The development of stress-tolerant potato varieties and the extensive application of fungicides accelerate pathogen resistance evolution, ultimately limiting their long-term efficacy. Additionally, excessive chemical inputs elevate production costs and pose significant environmental risks. To mitigate these challenges, weather-based approaches offer a promising solution by enabling timely management practices through increasing the accuracy of real-time forecasting and dissemination of weather information to farming communities. The integration of proper agronomic practices, suitable breeding techniques and forecasting weather information with crop protection measures can enhance resilience to climate-induced stress. Adopting the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in precision agriculture can optimize resource use, improve decision-making and contribute to global food security.