Professor/Research Agronomist Washington State University Pullman, Washington
The environmental readiness of cultivated crops remains a critical concern for agronomists, physiologists, breeders, and producers. This concept refers to a plant’s ability to endure extremes and/or fluctuations in temperature, water availability, and other climatic factors. While plant responses to these conditions often overlap, testing adaptive traits remains challenging due to confounding factors, replication difficulties, and costs. Research on potato responses to temperature has largely relied on controlled greenhouse and growth chamber studies or multi-year observational data. However, these approaches are limited—controlled environments may not reflect actual field conditions, while observational studies lack consistent controls due to annual variability. To address these limitations, some researchers have used hoop houses or plot covers to elevate temperatures in test plots. However, while good steps towards improvements, these methods can reduce pest exposure, alter solar radiation, or fail to increase night temperatures, thus limiting their effectiveness in replicating natural conditions. To overcome these challenges, we developed an open-canopy heat box that enables air exchange, maintains natural solar radiation and pest pressures, and allows standard irrigation treatments. This setup facilitates side-by-side comparisons of test plots with a consistent 5°C temperature increase for both day and night conditions in a commercial setting. Preliminary tests during the tuberization phase of Russet Burbank indicate that a continuous 5°C increase can reduce tuber yields by up to 40% and increase malformed tubers by 35%. This tool offers a valuable method for improving temperature stress studies, aiding breeders in selecting tolerant varieties, and helping growers refine management practices.
