EXPANDING THE AGRICULTURAL FRONTIER OF THE POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.) TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Most traditional potato cultivars are not adapted to crop conditions caused by climate change, which drastically reduce yields and even completely lose the crop in many disadvantaged places. In developing countries, as in Latin America, this situation affects the food base of communities, and economic and social support; farmers choose to migrate in search of other means of subsistence. Faced with this problem, a consortium of eight recognized institutions from seven countries was established to identify and develop potato cultivars adapted to climate change and to develop efficient molecular tools and methodologies to accelerate this process. The project managed cultivars with better adaptation to adverse environmental conditions in producing areas and disadvantaged areas. The competitiveness of potato cultivation was improved, the area of cultivation increased, and agricultural production diversified, ensuring the supply of food in depressed areas. Farmers have cultivars, with good adaptation to changes in temperature, precipitation, and greater resistance to late blight (Phytphthora infestans). The researchers have adequate methodologies for the evaluation of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and have useful molecular markers to predict agronomic behavior and adaptation.