Selecting and understanding the mechanisms of drought tolerance in potato cultivars of China

China, which produces about 25% of the world’s potatoes, faces unique challenges as 60% of its potato cultivation takes place in arid and semi-arid regions of the northwest. Due to shallow root systems and short growing seasons, potatoes are highly sensitive to drought stress, impacting physiological and biochemical processes essential for growth. To address this, Chinese researchers are accelerating evaluations of drought tolerance and identifying biochemicals that can mitigate soil moisture deficits.

Partners across China and international organizations have been central to this effort. More than 300 advanced clones from the International Potato Center (CIP) were evaluated in collaboration with Inner Mongolia Agricultural University and Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Additional contributions came from the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Guyuan branch of the Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and the Hebei Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Key Results

Ten advanced clones with strong drought tolerance were identified. Researchers determined that specific leaf area is a fast, simple, and cost-effective method for evaluating potato drought tolerance. Among the studied clones, CIP 397100.9 demonstrated the strongest tolerance under deficit irrigation, with Phenyllactic acid enriched 11-fold in its rhizosphere compared to full irrigation. Spraying or irrigating potatoes with this acid at a concentration of 225 mg/L increased yields by 24–61% under deficit irrigation and by 12–21% in pot trials. This finding highlights the potential of Phenyllactic acid as a foliar spray to maintain production in drought conditions.

Evaluation of clones for drought tolerance in field experiments in Inner Mongolia

Lessons Learned

Following participation in the World Potato Congress in Adelaide, researchers compared their findings with experiences from South Australia:

"Continue with drought tolerance research while expanding breeding goals to select cultivars with smooth skin, shallow eyes, and early maturity."

"South Australia achieves a high marketed percentage of total field yields despite limited rainfall. This underscores the importance of timing and precision in supplementary irrigation under water scarcity."

"Discussions with scientists and farmers in South Australia reinforced our commitment to develop and adopt drought-tolerant cultivars and modern technologies in China."

Spraying phenyllactic acid on drought stressed plants in Ningxia

Conclusion

The research highlights the importance of both varietal development and management practices in sustaining potato production under drought. China’s integration of international germplasm, local expertise, and innovative biochemical solutions, such as Phenyllactic acid application could transform potato resilience and secure yields in water-limited environments.