Researchers at the International Potato Center in Peru predict that third world potato use will more than double by 2020. Potatoes are also popular in developed countries, with per capita consumption exceeding 100 kg per year in some European countries. Potato production is risky and input intensive. Since potato growers plant tubers rather than true seed, the risk of seed-borne disease is substantial. This vegetative propagation method means that each potato plant is a clone of the mother plant and diseases are easily passed and spread to succeeding generations.
Farmers rely on pesticides to protect potato crops from a multitude of pests.
Potato growers in the United States apply about 70 million pounds of pesticides each year. Growers and consumers are interested in potato production practices that use fewer pesticides, are environmentally friendly and produce ample supplies of potatoes at low costs. Planting potatoes that have been genetically modified to resist pests is a practice that offers hope to growers around the world. Monsanto developed the first genetically modified potato approved for commercial markets. PLRV can cause net necrosis, a serious potato quality problem.