Innovative potato variety research in Northern Canada is doing more than just finding cold weather growing solutions, it’s cultivating resilient agricultural systems amid rising concerns over food security.
As researchers continue to look into heat-resistant potato varieties to deal with changing temperatures across the globe, Dr. Julia Wheeler and her Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada team are hunkered down in Northern Canada exploring how to grow potatoes in some of the country’s coldest climates.
The project is grounded in enhancing local food systems by developing breeds that are not only able to adapt to the harsh climate but are also accessible and affordable for local farmers to implement. The solutions aren’t simple, but progress is being made.
“When we’re talking about agriculture in the North, we’re typically dealing with smaller scale operations,” she says. “The key drivers behind our variety selection work were conversations with growers about the challenges they were facing, particularly with a limited variety of seed potatoes.”
Over the past few years, potato growers in the North — specifically in the areas of Labrador, Newfoundland and the Yukon — have faced challenges with certain seed varieties becoming scarce, complicating their ability to plant consistent crops. Wheeler’s initiative aims to test a range of readily available potato varieties, seeking those with the best yield, tuber size, and resistance to local diseases and pests to mitigate the consequences of potential supply chain disruptions.
In these uncertain times, the work is more crucial than ever. But it’s more than just an academic exercise for Wheeler. Having grown up in Newfoundland, she says she feels a deeply personal commitment to the communities she serves.
“As you get older, you recognize what some of the social problems are, and you want to help make them better,” she says. “Northern food security is really important for me. It’s a chance to do something meaningful at a scale where you can see the results.”
Her projects not only aim to improve potato yield but also extend into using innovative farming technologies like low tunnels and bio-plastic mulches to extend the growing season. So far, Wheeler has discovered that while these technologies can create nurturing microclimates for crops, they also come with trade-offs.
“The interaction between these technologies and the plant environment is complex,” she says. “We found that while bioplastics can be beneficial for growing conditions, they can also attract pests and create growing challenges.”
The long-term implications of the work are palpable, but Wheeler says the research has immediate and meaningful impact as well. Potatoes harvested during these projects aren’t just a means to study agricultural practices; they are actively contributing to local food security.
“For the most part, the potatoes we’ve grown in these experiments were donated to the community via the Newfoundland Food Sharing Association,” she says. “We’re not only learning something new, but also helping to tackle hunger in the community.”
As food security continues to capture public attention, particularly in Northern Canada, Wheeler emphasizes the importance of community engagement in addressing these issues.
“It’s about co-developing approaches with northern communities and identifying shared research and outcome interests,” she says. “We need to recognize that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to food production across all northern communities.”
Looking ahead, Wheeler plans to broaden the research, identifying commonalities and differences between various communities, and working towards collaborative solutions.
“Bringing this information together is how you start solving these problems in a more collective way,” she says. “It’s about leveraging the knowledge that’s already in these communities and building on it.”
