Characterizing the Potato Growing Regions in India Using Meteorological Parameters

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Climate Science

Background:

• Current multi-location potato hybrid testing in India relies on 25 centers chosen for soil and agronomic features.
• Reliable deployment of new potato varieties requires scientifically defined zones with homogenous climates.
• Existing zones may not fully capture environmental variations crucial for potato genotype performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop homogenous potato growing zones in the Indian subcontinent based on environmental parameters.
• To identify target environments for potato breeding strategies, especially considering climate change.
• To improve the scientific basis for multi-location testing of advanced potato hybrids.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 1253 locations with suitable potato growing seasons (≥70 days, appropriate thermal limits).
• Employed Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) and Principal Component Analysis by Multidimensional Scaling (MDS).
• Used six variables: Physiological days (P days), Growing degree days (GDD), mean daily temperature, mean night temperature, mean daily incident solar radiation, and altitude.

Main Results:

• Effectively delineated homogenous potato growing zones across India using clustering techniques.
• Created a thematic map overlaid on potato growing districts, identifying distinct environmental classes.
• Highlighted the high night temperature class as a significant area for future breeding focus.

Conclusions:

• Clustering techniques are effective for delineating the target population of environments (TPE) for potato genotypes.
• The study provides a scientific basis for optimizing potato testing and breeding strategies in India.
• Identified zones are vital for adapting potato cultivation to current and future climate conditions, particularly rising night temperatures.