Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based Study

This study reviews and synthesizes published data to estimate the net carbon flux associated with the complete potato production process. It identifies the key components that contribute to this flux and explores potential mitigation strategies, including both cultivation and post-harvest storage. D...

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Main Authors: Shu Zhang, Xiuquan Wang, Muhammad Awais
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/7/764
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author Shu Zhang
Xiuquan Wang
Muhammad Awais
author_facet Shu Zhang
Xiuquan Wang
Muhammad Awais
author_sort Shu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description This study reviews and synthesizes published data to estimate the net carbon flux associated with the complete potato production process. It identifies the key components that contribute to this flux and explores potential mitigation strategies, including both cultivation and post-harvest storage. Data were compiled from field-scale studies (primarily using eddy covariance) and life cycle assessment studies. The results indicate that potato production can act as a carbon sink or a carbon source, depending on the production scenario. In Scenario 1, which represents the worst-case scenario, potato production acts as a carbon source, with a carbon flux of 13,874.816 kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>−1</sup> season<sup>−1</sup>. In contrast, in Scenario 2, the best-case scenario, potato production acts a carbon sink with a carbon flux of −12,830.567 kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>−1</sup> season<sup>−1</sup>. Similarly, in Scenario 3, which is the average scenario, potato production acts as a carbon sink, though a minor one, with a carbon flux of −90.703 kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>−1</sup> season<sup>−1</sup>. Notably, the growing phase has the most significant impact on potato production’s overall carbon flux, as it is the period in which the highest levels of carbon sequestration and emissions occur. Fertilization is the primary carbon source among all potato production operations, averaging 1219.225 kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>−1</sup> season<sup>−1</sup>. Optimizing farming practices, including fertilization, irrigation, tillage methods, and cultivar selection, are essential to enhance carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, further research through controlled experiments is recommended to deepen the understanding of the relationships between various farming factors and carbon flux, ultimately supporting more sustainable potato production practices.
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series Atmosphere
spelling doaj-art-c297a39fccb3451bbf94437dfbcc20432025-08-20T03:58:25ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-06-0116776410.3390/atmos16070764Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based StudyShu Zhang0Xiuquan Wang1Muhammad Awais2Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island, St. Peter’s Bay, PE C0A 2A0, CanadaCanadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island, St. Peter’s Bay, PE C0A 2A0, CanadaCanadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island, St. Peter’s Bay, PE C0A 2A0, CanadaThis study reviews and synthesizes published data to estimate the net carbon flux associated with the complete potato production process. It identifies the key components that contribute to this flux and explores potential mitigation strategies, including both cultivation and post-harvest storage. Data were compiled from field-scale studies (primarily using eddy covariance) and life cycle assessment studies. The results indicate that potato production can act as a carbon sink or a carbon source, depending on the production scenario. In Scenario 1, which represents the worst-case scenario, potato production acts as a carbon source, with a carbon flux of 13,874.816 kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>−1</sup> season<sup>−1</sup>. In contrast, in Scenario 2, the best-case scenario, potato production acts a carbon sink with a carbon flux of −12,830.567 kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>−1</sup> season<sup>−1</sup>. Similarly, in Scenario 3, which is the average scenario, potato production acts as a carbon sink, though a minor one, with a carbon flux of −90.703 kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>−1</sup> season<sup>−1</sup>. Notably, the growing phase has the most significant impact on potato production’s overall carbon flux, as it is the period in which the highest levels of carbon sequestration and emissions occur. Fertilization is the primary carbon source among all potato production operations, averaging 1219.225 kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>−1</sup> season<sup>−1</sup>. Optimizing farming practices, including fertilization, irrigation, tillage methods, and cultivar selection, are essential to enhance carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, further research through controlled experiments is recommended to deepen the understanding of the relationships between various farming factors and carbon flux, ultimately supporting more sustainable potato production practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/7/764carbon fluxgreenhouse gas emissionspotato productionpotato cultivationpotato storage
spellingShingle Shu Zhang
Xiuquan Wang
Muhammad Awais
Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based Study
Atmosphere
carbon flux
greenhouse gas emissions
potato production
potato cultivation
potato storage
title Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based Study
title_full Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based Study
title_fullStr Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based Study
title_full_unstemmed Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based Study
title_short Carbon Flux Estimation for Potato Production: A Literature-Based Study
title_sort carbon flux estimation for potato production a literature based study
topic carbon flux
greenhouse gas emissions
potato production
potato cultivation
potato storage
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/7/764
work_keys_str_mv AT shuzhang carbonfluxestimationforpotatoproductionaliteraturebasedstudy
AT xiuquanwang carbonfluxestimationforpotatoproductionaliteraturebasedstudy
AT muhammadawais carbonfluxestimationforpotatoproductionaliteraturebasedstudy