Change in Climate Can Increase the Size of Sweet Potatoes

Researchers at University of Hawaii found that an increase in the level of carbon dioxide in atmosphere can make the size of hardy sweet potato almost twice than present. Hardy sweet potato is the staple diet in Africa as well as Asia. Sweet potato is also the important food crop in major developing countries.

Researchers from University of Hawaii at Manao grew this food at four concentrations of carbon dioxide. These four concentrations were present level, i.e., 390 parts per million (ppm), 760 ppm, 1140 ppm and 1520 ppm. At 760 ppm, it was found that the sweet potato tubers grew at 96 percent larger. The researchers are testing its nutrient content now.

In earlier studies, it was found that the protein content of wheat, barley, rice and potatoes dipped down by 15 percent if they were grown under the level of carbon dioxide double that of present scenario.

Most of the studies conducted to study the effect of higher concentration of carbon dioxide in atmosphere had shown the rising yields of soy, wheat and rice.

Hardy sweet potato has become the stable diet in Asia and Africa and it produces more energy per hectare than rice, wheat or cassava.

The findings about the super size of this sweet potato will also be presented at American Geophysical Union meeting to be held in December 2012 at San Francisco.