GM Potato

In Mexico, potatoes represent the third most significant vegetable in terms of acreage and production volume, after tomato and pepper. The most important potato disease in this country is late blight, which is caused by a fungus. Viruses follow next in economic importance. Among the viruses, potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) causes the most severe yield losses, followed by potato virus Y (PVY), and potato virus X (PVX).

PLRV and PVY are spread through infected seed material or by aphids while PVX is spread through direct physical contact. The average yield loss when all three virus types are prevalent, is estimated at 25 percent. There are no chemical means to directly combat these viruses. Preventive measures have included using certified virus-free seeds and controlling insect vectors with insecticides. Another alternative is the development of virus resistant varieties through conventional plant breeding. However, these have had limited success due to lack of resources and appropriate technologies.

Several potato varieties have been modified to resist potato leafroll virus (PLRV) potato virus Y (PVY) and potato virus X (PVX). Just as people get inoculations to prevent disease these potato varieties are protected through biotechnology from certain viruses. Further, virus resistance often results in reduced insecticide use, which is needed to control insect vectors that transmit viruses.

* Approved for food use in Canada and the US.

Approved for:

Related topics:

• Insect resistance
• Insect resistance technology
• Virus resistance
• Relevant information

Summary Report on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops - [View the 2004 report]

Transgenic Crops - [Click Here]

Extensive Study on Bt Cotton - [Click Here]

Download the complete copy of the ISAAA Briefs on Global Status/Review of GM Crops - [Click Here]

SciDev.Net's dossier on GM crops - [Click here]

Global Status of Approved Genetically Modified Plants -  [Click here]

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