Media report on effort to develop climate change resistant potato
Mainebiz, WABI (Channel 5) the Bangor Daily News, Maine Public and WBTS (Channel 10 in Boston) reported on University of Maine research to develop potatoes that are more resistant to climate change. “The predictions for climate change are heavier rainfall events, and potatoes don’t tolerate flooding or wet conditions for long without having other quality problems,” said Greg Porter, a professor of crop ecology and management at UMaine. “If we want potatoes to be continued to be produced successfully in Maine, we need to be able to produce varieties that can be resistant to change.” Jim Dill, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension pest management specialist, discussed the need to breed potatoes with better defenses against pests like the Colorado potato beetle and aphids, which have thrived with the changing climate. The Times, India Today, the Associated Press, Politico, Dawn, Yahoo! News and Potato News Today shared the BDN article. ABC News, Bloomberg Green, NBC News, The Hill, U.S. News & World Report, the Federal News Network, the Portland Press Herald, News Center Maine, Centralmaine.com and the Concord Monitor shared the AP report. New England Cable News (NECN) shared the WBTS report. PotatoPro also highlighted the federal funding for UMaine and other potato research projects across the U.S.