Climate change effects on potato production in Maine focus of new study
The DSSAT model was calibrated and evaluated for contrasting varieties of potato (Atlantic, a mid-season variety, and Russet Burbank, a late-season variety) and barley (Robust, a 6-row feed variety, and Newdale, a 2-row malting variety) using 99 field experiments conducted in Maine. The model accurately simulated observed final yield for each variety. Climate change simulations compared crop yield across multiple planting dates for one baseline period (1989-2018) and four future climate scenarios. Results suggest that climate change may favor longer-season varieties such as Russet Burbank, but adjusting planting date may not be an effective climate change adaptation strategy in this region.