High-Temperature Effect on Plant Development and Tuber Induction and Filling in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Heat stress significantly impacts the physiology of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.). Regardless of the phenological stage at which thermal stress occurs, the most notable effect consistently emerges in tuber production. Heat stress can disrupt photosynthesis, transpiration, and overall plant metabolism. It is known that various genes encoding enzymes and glucose and sucrose transporters respond to temperature changes, influencing the partitioning of carbohydrates toward storage organs. This disturbance leads to disruptions in starch formation in tubers, affecting their development, and subsequently, the yield and quality of tubers. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing heat-tolerant potato varieties in the face of climate change resulting from global warming.