Rates of internal blackspot bruise development in potato tubers under conditions of elevated temperatures and gas pressures

Internal blackspot bruising was produced in Russet Burbank tubers by dropping a 150 g weight 40 cm through a slotted guide tube and incubating the tubers for varying time periods at temperatures ranging from 10 to 80 C. When potatoes were bruised following 1 to 5 months storage, those tubers incubated at 10 C required 48 hr for maximum blackspot development. Increasing the incubation temperature accelerated blackspot formation with an optimum response at 36 to 40 C. At 40 C tubers reached maximum discoloration within 6 hr. Bruised tubers were also exposed to combinations of varied temperatures and varied gas pressures of 0.3 to 2.1 kg/cm² using air, O₂, CO₂, and N₂. Pressurized air slightly enhanced the temperature effect at 40 C; pressurized O₂ had no significant effect upon blackspot development, while CO₂ and N₂ inhibited blackspot formation. Blackspot bruises incurred in the field during harvest required a longer incubation period at a lower temperature than did bruises inflicted on tubers held in storage for 1 to 5 months.     

The Effect of Long Term Storage on Bacterial Soft Rot Resistance in Potato

Bacterial soft rot is a serious disease in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), causing rapid tuber tissue maceration and, consequently, marketable yield loss. Soft rot bacteria, including Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pbc), are favored by moist conditions, which are prevalent in large potato storage facilities. However, although most potatoes in North America are stored before use, there are no published surveys of soft rot resistance in cultivars exposed to long-term storage conditions. Thus, we tested 65 cultivars and 13 breeding lines for soft rot resistance after 6 months of storage. There was a significant effect of cultivar and production environment on soft rot resistance score. During 6 months of storage, tuber soft rot resistance in resistant clones did not change, while it changed in susceptible clones. The three most resistant cultivars to soft rot were Freedom Russet, Anett, and Alaska Red Eye.     

The inheritance of resistance to soft rot (Erwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica) in diploid potato families

Soft rot of potato tubers, caused byErwinia (Pectobacterium), is a serious disease affecting potato crops during storage. Studies on the inheritance of resistance to tuber soft rot were undertaken on diploid potato hybrids. A total of 480 clones, derived from 12 families, were examined for resistance to soft rot in laboratory tests over 3 years and for basic agronomic traits in field experiments over 2 years. General (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities were significant in the inheritance of resistance to soft rot; however, GCA for female parents were significant in 1 or 2 years during 3 years of evaluation and SCA was significant for eight, two, and six families out of 10 tested in 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively. There were also significant differences between years. Moreover, marked interactions for GCA_females × year and SCA × year in the variation of soft rot resistance were found. Broad-sense and narrowsense heritability of resistance, measured as diameter of rotten tissue, was estimated as 0.92 and 0.89, respectively. The maternal effect, evaluated in two sets of reciprocal crosses, was not significant for the genetic determination of resistance to soft rot. No significant relationships were found between resistance to soft rot and the main agronomic traits in the tested diploid families. These results suggest that diploid potato clones with resistance to soft rot can be selected after being evaluated over a few seasons. It is also possible to select clones combining good resistance to soft rot with high yield, superior tuber characteristics, and acceptable starch content. These resistant diploids can be used as male parents in 4x-2x crosses in breeding tetraploid potato resistant to soft rot.     

Differences in free and protein-bound tyrosine among potato genotypes and the relationship to internal blackspot resistance

Twelve potato clones were selected to represent the full range of internal blackspot response in order to determine the relationships between tuber protein, free tyrosine, and blackspot susceptibility. The blackspot reaction for each clone was consistent over five growing seasons, including tubers grown over a normal season (mature), and short season (immature) during one year. The blackspot index, determined by either an abrasive peel test or an impact bruise test, was highly correlated with the tyrosine content of the tubers (r = 0.90 p = 0.001 for the means of each clone over five location-years). Tubers with free tyrosine levels below 4 μmole/g dry weight consistently showed a resistant blackspot response. The relationship between tyrosine and blackspot susceptibility was also found in stolon and bud ends from five of the clones which represented the extremes of blackspot reaction and genetic diversity. Bud end samples of each of the clones had lower tyrosine content and a corresponding reduction in blackspot compared with stolon ends. Phenols, other than tyrosine, showed no consistent relationship to the blackspot reaction. There was a very high negative correlation between free tyrosine and estimated protein-bound tyrosine. R values ranged from ?0.85 to ?0.97 (p = 0.001) for mature tubers of the 12 clones over 4 growing seasons. Total tyrosine (free, plus protein-bound) remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences in mean total tyrosine content among the 12 clones over five location-years of testing; and there were no significant differences among the five growing seasons except for the short season (immature) tubers which were 14% lower in total tyrosine content. These results indicate a remarkably constant level of total tyrosine production in the twelve clones studied, that represented diverse genetic backgrounds. Mature tubers of all genotypes contained 26 ± 1 μmole/g dry weight total tyrosine. Partitioning of tyrosine between tuber protein and the free amino acid pool varied with genotype and appeared to be a major determinate of blackspot resistance.     

Blackspot of Russet Burbank potatoes and the carbon dioxide content of soil and tubers

These studies were designed to elucidate the influence of CO₂ on blackspot susceptibility of Russet Burbank potatoes. The influence of tuber CO₂ environment on blackspot was tested. Tubers from 1–4 and 6–8 inches deep in the soil were scored for blackspot and moisture samples were taken from their vicinity. Blackspot was worse in shallow tubers and in tubers from drier soil. Plowing under corn stover, covering the soil with plastic, and excessive irrigation failed to cause blackspot susceptible tubers. Diffusing CO₂ into the soil atmosphere under plastic sheets slightly increased the intensity of spot discoloration but the discoloration was atypical blackspot. Effects on blackspot by changing tuber gases was tested. Tubers whose gases had been evacuated and replaced by O₂, N₂, and CO₂ had lower blackspot scores than untreated tubers. Increasing the time tubers were soaked in water after gaseous evacuation reduced blackspot. Hydration consistently decreased tuber blackspot. In chemical studies, tubers were tested for blackspot and analyzed for CO₂ content. The relationship between tissue CO₂ and blackspot appeared to be inverse. Tuber CO₂ content was not influenced by time of day. Tuber blackspot scores immediately, 1, 3, and 7 hours after digging were the same, but tissue CO₂ content increased linearly with time after harvest.     

Resistance of tubers from different potato cultivars to soft rot caused byErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica

Mechanically harvested tubers of 14 potato cultivars grown on both loamy sand and silt loam soils were evaluated for resistance to bacterial soft rot caused byErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica. Cultivars were also assayed for calcium and dry matter content to determine possible correlations with soft rot resistance. Resistance of potato tubers to bacterial soft rot was assayed after harvest by inoculating tubers and determining percent surface area decayed after four days in a mist chamber. Tubers of the cultivars differed widely in resistance to bacterial soft rot. The ranking of the resistance of tubers from different cultivars to bacterial soft rot was similar for both soils, although disease severity in tubers from a particular soil type varied with the season. Of the cultivars tested, tubers of Butte, Russet Burbank, and Nor-gold Russet were ranked as the most resistant, whereas tubers of Redsen, Norchip, Norland and Belchip were rated as the most susceptible. Tubers of Rhinered, Red La Soda, Superior, Pontiac, Atlantic, and Nooksack were intermediate in resistance. Neither calcium concentration in medullar tissues nor dry matter of potato tubers alone could be correlated with ranking of the cultivars with respect to severity of bacterial soft rot. However, a multiple linear regression model incorporating both variables indicated that tubers with a high content of both calcium and dry matter were likely to be less susceptible to bacterial soft rot than were tubers with lower percentages of these variables.     

Carbon dioxide enrichment and temperature effects on cotton canopy photosynthesis,transpiration, and water-use efficiency

The objectives of this study were to evaluate effects of ambient and double ambient [CO₂] at a range of growing temperatures on photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, water-use efficiency and dry matter accumulation of cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L., cv. DPL 50). In Experiment I, plants were grown outdoors until first bloom, then transferred into naturally lit growth chambers and grown for 22 days at 30/18°C with five CO₂ concentrations varying from 350 to 900 μl l⁻¹. In Experiment II, air temperatures were maintained at 20/12, 25/17, 30/22, and 35/27°C day/night during a 70-day experimental period with [CO₂] of 350 and 700 μl l⁻¹ at each temperature. Photosynthesis increased with [CO₂] from 350 to 700 μl l⁻¹ and with temperature. Plants grown at 35/27°C produced fewer bolls due to abscission compared with plants grown at optimum temperatures (30/20°C). At higher [CO₂], water-use efficiency increased at all temperatures due mainly to increased canopy photosynthesis but also to more limited extent to reduced canopy transpiration. Increased photosynthesis at higher [CO₂] resulted in greater dry matter accumulation at all temperatures except at 20/12°C. Respiration increased as dry matter and temperature increased. Plants grown at higher [CO₂] had less respiration per unit dry matter but more per unit area. These results indicate that future increases in [CO₂] are likely to benefit cotton production by increasing carbon assimilation under temperatures favorable for cotton growth. Reduced fruit weights at higher temperatures indicate potential negative effects on production if air temperatures increase as projected in a high-CO₂ world.     

Tuber yield,soft rot resistance,bruising resistance and processing quality in a population of potato (cv. crystal) somaclones

Several important postharvest characteristics were evaluated in protoplast-derived somaclones after two consecutive growing seasons (1987, 1988). None of the somaclones had tuber yields significantly greater than the protoplast donor Crystal mother clone (MC), however, 8 of 37 clones had significantly lower yields. Of the 25 somaclones selected forErwinia soft rot resistance testing, 1 clone demonstrated significantly elevated resistance to soft rot while 12 clones were found to be significantly more susceptible relative to MC. Over half (20) of the 33 somaclones tested showed significant improvement in resistance to tuber bruising while only a single clone was more susceptible than MC. Based upon Agtron color analysis, 5 somaclones showed significantly enhanced chip color when processed directly out of cold storage (6 C). Six clones had significantly improved chip color after a reconditioning period (20 C). Four of the clones with significantly better cold processing characteristics were also among the 6 with significantly enhanced processing quality after reconditioning. Some clones showed improvement in two or more characteristics. Clone 72–93 had significantly elevated resistance to both bacterial soft rot and tuber bruising while the bruise resistant clones 74-14, 71-41, 71-18 and 71-2 demonstrated significant improvement in both cold and reconditioned processing characteristics.     

Defender: A high-yielding, processing potato cultivar with foliar and tuber resistance to late blight

The potato cultivar Defender is high-yielding, white-skinned, and notable for having foliar and tuber resistance to late blight infection caused byPhytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary. It was released in 2004 by the USDA-ARS and the agricultural experiment stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Defender is suitable for processing into french fries and other frozen potato products directly from the field or from storage. Defender also may be used for fresh markets in regions such as California, where cultivars with long tubers and white skin are traditionally grown. Resistances to late blight and other potato diseases make Defender an ideal candidate for organic potato production. Defender consistently produced greater total and U.S. No. 1 yields than ‘Russet Burbank’ in Idaho trials. In early harvest trials conducted in the western U.S., average total yields of Defender were 17% and 23% greater than yields for ‘Ranger Russet’ and ‘Shepody’, respectively. In full-season trials conducted in the western U.S., Defender averaged 10% and 15% higher yields than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank, respectively. Specific gravity of Defender is consistently high, with values comparable to those of Ranger Russet; tuber ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) levels are also high. In addition to late blight, Defender also is resistant to tuber early blight (Alternaria solani, (Ellis & G. Martin), L.R. Jones & Grout), potato virus X, and net necrosis; it has moderate levels of resistance to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae, Kleb), pink rot, foliar early blight, corky ringspot, and Erwinia soft rot. Defender is susceptible to scab (common and powdery) and potato leafroll virus; it has moderate susceptibility to dry rot (Fusarium spp.) and potato virus Y. Susceptibilities to internal necrosis, tuber greening, and blackspot bruise also have been noted, but may be minimized through cultural and harvest practices.     

Importance of chlorogenic acid on the oxidative potential of potato tubers of two German cultivars

Summary Two German cultivars differing in blackspot susceptibility were grown in pots in 1998 and 1999 under control and water stress conditions. Blackspot susceptibility of the tubers was defined as oxidative potential. The effect of free tyrosine, cysteine, phenylalanine, chlorogenic and ascorbic acid on the oxidative potential was analyzed. A high concentration of ascorbic acid led to a decrease in the oxidative potential after harvesting in 1998. No correlation was found between oxidative potential and free tyrosine, phenylalanine or cysteine, respectively. Chlorogenic acid content increased during storage and gave a significant correlation with discoloration, showing that it can have an effect on the oxidative potential of the tuber greater than previously thought. Supplementing freeze-dried potato samples with pure chlorogenic acid increased the oxidative potential. Oxidative potential seems to depend on a series of chemical compounds, and their content is affected by factors including annual variations, cultivar, water availability and storage.     

Quaggy Joe: A high-yielding, round, white potato variety for fresh market

The Quaggy Joe potato variety is high-yielding and medium to medium-late maturing with attractive, round-oval, white-skinned, white-fleshed tubers with medium-shallow pink eyes. Its major use is expected to be as a maincrop tablestock variety. Quaggy Joe is resistant to the potato leafroll virus, and is also moderately resistant to early blight (Alternaria solani), dry rot (Fusarium sambucinum), and soft rot (Erwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora). Quaggy Joe tubers have shown very little shatter or blackspot bruising, but sprout earlier than Atlantic. Young plants have shown sensitivity to the herbicide metribuzin.     

Efficacy of chlorine dioxide for disease control on stored potatoes

The post-harvest application of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) was evaluated as a disease suppressant for stored potatoes. Chlorine dioxide was prepared by acidifying a buffered sodium chlorite solution with a food grade acid.In vitro studies verified the effectiveness of C1O₂ at low concentrations (ED₅₀ = 2 to 122 ppm) againstErwinia carotovora (soft rot),Fusarium spp. (dry rot) andHelminthosporium solani (silver scurf). Evaluations of tubers inoculated withPhytophthora infestans (late blight) andFusarium spp. or infected withH. solani and then treated with ClO₂ either going into storage or through the humidification system resulted in a lack of disease suppression. Inconsistent performance of C1O₂ in storage appeared to be a result of several contributing factors. Chlorine dioxide concentrations varied greatly (up to six-fold), depending upon the method of activating and diluting sodium chlorite solutions. Chlorine dioxide is a gas soluble in water and, therefore, is easily released from solution (25% –75% loss) into the air when applied as an aqueous spray. Chlorine dioxide reacts quickly with the tuber and associated organic matter, thereby reducing the effectiveness. Applying higher than currently registered rates may be necessary to achieve measurable disease suppression.     

Introgression and stabilization oferwinia tuber soft rot resistance into potato after somatic hybridization ofsolanum tuberosum ands. brevidens

Resistance to potato tuber soft rot caused byErwinia carotovora was transferred fromSolanum brevidens to the cultivated potato over the course of four backcross generations originating from a somatic hybrid. Soft rot reactions were determined via a tuber plug inoculation method developed during the course of these experiments. Soft rot resistance was highest in the somatic hybrid (only ca. 20% of tubers and plugs showed evidence of severe rotting) and lowest among progeny of control potato x potato crosses (ca. 80% of tuber plugs showed severe rot). Backcross generations involving somatic hybrids were intermediate in their reaction, and resistance stabilized to about 60% of tuber plugs showing severe rot in the BC₂ through the BC₄. Reciprocal crosses showed no difference in the inheritance of soft rot resistance, indicating that neitherS. brevidens norS. tuberosum donor cytoplasm had a significant effect on the expression of resistance. Crosses between BC₃ siblings where noS. brevidens genetic markers were detected but resistance was segregating demonstrated a dosage effect for soft rot resistance. We conclude that introgression of soft rot resistance has occurred and that at least one locus responsible for resistance inS. brevidens now resides in theS. tuberosum genome.     

高淀粉抗病甘薯新品种漯徐薯8号的选育

漯徐薯8号是由徐薯18与徐781杂交选育而成的高淀粉抗病甘薯新品种,2008年3月通过全国甘薯品种鉴定委员会鉴定。该品种鲜基薯块烘干率36.5％,淀粉率25.4％,薯干洁白平整,丰产稳产,抗根腐病、茎线虫病和蔓割病,中抗黑王证病,耐贮藏,萌芽性好,适宜淀粉加工、生产燃料乙醇等。     

Influence of heat stress on dry matter production and photo-assimilate partitioning by four potato clones

Partitioning patterns of¹⁴C labeled assimilates were studied to determine their relationship to dry matter accumulation and distribution in four potato clones (Desiree, DTO-28, LT-1 and Russet Burbank). Plants placed in growth chambers at 35/25 C day/night temperature and 12-hour photo-period two weeks after tuber initiation were compared with plants grown continuously at 25/12 C. Two weeks after temperature treatments were begun, the most recently expanded leaf was labeled with¹⁴CO₂ for 30 minutes, and plants were harvested 20 hours or 15 days later. High temperature reduced total dry matter production and altered dry matter distribution in favor of vines at the expense of tubers. Partitioning of¹⁴C assimilates generally followed the pattern of dry matter distribution. Potato clones exhibited variation in¹⁴C assimilate export from labeled leaves and in partitioning to vines and tubers. Assimilate partitioning to tubers was not consistently higher in clones considered heat tolerant.     

Zum Einfluss des Partialdrucks verschiedener Gaskomponenten der Lageratmosphäre auf den Ascorbinsäuregehalt

Zusammenfassung Es wurden die Ursachen für den unterschiedlichen Einfluß einer CA- und einer LRD-Lagerung auf den Ascorbinsäuregehalt von Äpfeln, Johannisbeeren, Petersilie und Ackersalat untersucht. Nach Variation des Äthylen-, Sauerstoff- und Kohlendioxidgehaltes der Lageratmosphäre zeigte sich, daß eine Reduktion des O₂-Partialdrucks den Ascorbinsäure-Gehalt des Lagergutes erhöht, eine Erhöhung der CO₂-Konzentration auf 5,0% den Ascorbinsäure-Gehalt aber deutlich reduziert. Äthylen hatte unter diesen Bedingungen keinen Effekt auf LRD-gelagerte Äpfel und Johannisbeeren. Die unterschiedliche Konzentration von CO₂ im CA- bzw. LRD-Lager dürfte deshalb für die unterschiedliche Reaktion des Ascorbinsäure-Gehaltes in diesen beiden Lagertypen verantwortlich sein.

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The effect of different partial pressures of CO₂, C₂H₄ and O₂ in the storage atmosphere on the ascorbic acid content of fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables stored under hypobaric conditions (LPS) had higher, those stored in CA lower ascorbic acid contents than fruits kept in refrigerated stores. The reasons for this was investigated. It could be shown that ethylene had no effect on ascorbic acid content of apples and red currants stored under hypobaric pressure, and it was concluded that the reduced partial pressure of oxygen was responsible for the positiv effect of LPS storage on ascorbic acid content. The addition of CO₂ in a concentration of 0,5% did not affect the ascorbic acid content of fruits and vegetables stored in LPS. 5,0% CO₂, however, reduced the ascorbic acid content under these conditions considerably and the higher CO₂ concentration in CA stores, therefore, were assumed to be responsible for the reduction in ascorbic acid content of CA stored fruits and vegetables.

     

Influence of temperature and length of storage on resistance of potato to tuber rot induced byErwinia chrysanthemi

Tubers of 11 clones ofSolanum tuberosum subsp.andigena (andigena) and 12 cultivars ofS. tuberosum subsp.tuberosum (tuberosum) were inoculated with water suspensions (5.5 × 10⁴ 5.5 × 10⁵, 5.5 × 10⁶ CFU/ml) ofErwinia chrysanthemi. Tubers were inoculated immediately after harvest and after 6 and 16 wk of storage at 4 and 23°C. Tuber rot incidence in andigena and tuberosum increased as inoculum concentration increased. Based on tuber rot severity, clones of andigena were classified as resistant, intermediate, or susceptible and cultivars of tuberosum were classified as intermediate or susceptible. Rot severity increased in all tubers stored at 4°C and in tubers of tuberosum stored at 23°C; rot did not increase in tubers of andigena stored at 23°C. Electrolyte leakage (EL), total sugars (TS), reducing sugars (RS), non-reducing sugars (NRS) and dry matter (DM) were determined in non-inoculated tubers. There was a significant positive correlation between the rate of EL, concentration of RS and tuber rot in andigena and tuberosum. Tuber rot and DM were negatively correlated in tubers of andigena; but they were not correlated in tuberosum. Clones of andigena with low EL, TS, RS, and high DM were resistant to tuber rot, and the incidence of tuber rot in these clones was much less influenced by temperature and length of storage. The influence of temperature and length of storage on susceptibility toE. chrysanthemi may be explained by increased cell membrane permeability; increased leakage of accumulated sugars in potatoes stored at 4°C could favor bacterial proliferation resulting in more disease.     

Reducing the potential for bacterial soft rot in potato tubers by chemical treatments and drying

The potential for bacterial soft rot caused byErwinia carotovora in freshly inoculated potato tubers was reduced up to 99% by immersion for 5 min in solutions of sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) containing up to 10,000 ppm chlorine. Reductions up to 93% were achieved using a combination treatment of immersion in 1% citric acid for 5 min followed by airdrying. Immersion treatment alone in 1% aqueous solutions of citric, acetic, ascorbic, or malonic acid also significantly reduced the soft rot potential. In contrast, no reductions accompanied treatment with solutions of potassium or calcium acetate. All treatments including the combination immersion/airdrying treatment were much less effective if tubers had been infiltrated initially with soft rotErwinia or had numerous mechanical injuries. If tubers had not been infiltrated with the causal organism, immersing them in 1% citric acid reduced the potential nearly as much as a similar treatment with 1000 ppm chlorine. A 30-sec immersion in the latter was less effective than a similar treatment with 500 ppm a.i. CGA 78039, an experimental bactericide. However, air-drying, coupled with provisions for keeping tuber surfaces free from moisture, remains the most effective means of reducing losses to bacterial soft rot.     

The incidence of decay and factors affecting bacterial soft rot of potatoes

The incidence of tuber decay in rail car shipments of potatoes from the State of Washington was determined from 1965 to 1969 inclusive. Reinspection certificates revealed that 7.9% of the rail cars of potatoes shipped during this period were rejected due to tuber defects; tuber decay accounted for 63% of these rejected cars. Percentage of rejections due to tuber decay was greater for Russet Burbank than for Norgold Russet potatoes. Temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels influenced development of bacterial soft rot in freshly harvested potatoes and in potatoes stored for 3 months at 35 F (2 C) previous to treatment. When tuber surfaces were kept dry, no soft rot developed in 11 days over ranges of 50–70 F (10–21 C) and 2–20.5% oxygen levels. Freshly harvested tubers partially immersed in water did not rot when cooled to 40 F (4.4 C) in < 24 hours and held for 8 days under either 20.5 or 4% oxygen levels; however, tubers, rotted when stored similarly but at 50 F or higher temperatures. Partially immersed tubers incubated for 1 day or longer at 70 F developed soft rot in a low oxygen (4%) when later stored for, 8 days at 40 F. When rot occurred, the amount was always greater under lower oxygen levels irrespective of storage temperature. Of various cooling methods tested in rail cars loaded with 100 lb (45.4 kg) sacks of potatoes, prechilling of tubers and icing of cars prior to loading lowered floor temperatures most rapidly. Icing cars after loading lowered floor temperatures the slowest. In a carton shipment, the temperature remained above 68 F (20 C) in cartons after 8 days in transit, even though the wall and floor temperatures had cooled to near 55 F (12.8 C) by the second day. Oxygen level surrounding, tubers in the center of car loads of 100 lb sacks of potatoes was approximately 20.5% after 8 days transit.     

Elevated carbon dioxide and temperature effects on rice yield,leaf greenness,and phenological stages duration

The present field experiment was conducted during two consecutive cropping seasons in central Portugal to study the effects of simultaneous elevation of carbon dioxide concentration ([CO₂]) (550 μmol mol^?1) and air temperature (+2–3 °C) on japonica rice (Oryza sativa L. “Ariete”) yield, crop duration, and SPAD-values across the seasons compared with the open-field condition. Open-top chambers were used in the field to assess the effect of elevated air temperature alone or the combined effect of elevated air temperature and atmospheric [CO₂]. Open-field condition was assessed with randomized plots under ambient air temperature and actual atmospheric [CO₂] (average 382 μmol mol^?1). Results obtained showed that the rice “Ariete” had a moderate high yielding under open-field condition, but was susceptible to air temperature rise of +2–3 °C under controlled conditions resulting in reduction of grain yield. The combined increase of atmospheric [CO₂] with elevated air temperature compensated for the negative effect of temperature rise alone and crop yield was higher than in the open-field. SPAD-readings at reproductive stage explained by more than 60 % variation the straw dry matter, but this finding requires further studies for consolidation. It can be concluded that potential increase in air temperature may limit rice yield in the near future under Mediterranean areas where climate change scenario poses a serious threat, but long term field experiments are required.