Project

Modelling potatoes under stress conditions

We want to model the effects of extreme climate events, such as heatwaves and drought, on potato production and quality in the field. Heatwaves and drought will become more frequent and intense in the future. An improved potato model is necessary to study mitigation and adaptation strategies under the future climate. We will conduct field experiments in hot and dry environments. The data will be used to improve the WOFOST Potato model.

Project description

The PhD project focuses on both gradual and ‘extreme’ aspects of climate change and aims to contribute to the following set of objectives:

  • To compare the effects of (linear and) non-linear aspects of climate change on potato yield and quality using experiments in two or more irrigated (hot and arid) locations, in collaboration with McCain and its local partners.
  • To assess how the effects of climate change (linear and non-linear) can be mitigated using packages of adaptation practices (planting dates, timing of nitrogen application, variety maturity, etc.),
  • Can we make optimum combinations of practices for different current and future environments?
  • What do we optimise for (yield, quality, robustness, ...) and what are the trade-offs?
  • What are crop ideotypes that would minimize these trade-offs?
  • To explore future potato variety ideotypes (including quality standards) and potato growing regions, and to identify the best existing region/cultivar combinations by converting the standards for potato processing into physiological characteristics and then into ideotypes forspecific growing areas

The project builds on a combination of designated
experiments, case studies and innovative modelling tools. The primary output
are four scientific articles, but in addition the project should provide tangible
results and recommendations that can support the McCain business in the short
term (before 2025).

Methods

  1. Field experiment in hot and dry prone regions. India is our number one choice.
  2. Biophysical modelling.

Expectations

Since the field experiment will be in India, we will expect you to be able to:

  1. Comfortable with working in foreign countries (Language support and work-related costs will be covered).
  2. Work independently in the field and agronomic laboratories.
  3. Mindful about cultural differences.

Required skills

Let’s have a chat if you have done one/all of the following courses:

  1. CSA30806 Research Methods in Crop Science
  2. CSA32806 Modelling Functional Diversity in Crop Systems
  3. CSA34806 Advanced Agronomy
  4. WGS35806 Climate Smart Agriculture

    5. PPS30306 Quantitative analysis of land use systems (QUALUS)

    1. PPS30806 Analysing sustainability of farming systems

    Types of research / work

    Crop physiology and ecology research

    Period

    • Start from September and end in February
    • Or starts in January and end in May/June

    Location

    India and the Netherlands