The National Council of Technical and Scientific Research (CONICET) commenced with the registration of the first biotech potato variety in Argentina to the National Seed Institute. CONICET, in partnership with Sidus, developed the biotech potato with resistance to virus Y called SPT TICAR. This new biotech potato variety is expected to provide potato farmers with 10% cost savings, reduction in the use of insecticides, and general improvement of competitiveness across the value chain.
Potato virus Y is a common obstacle of potato farmers in all production zones around the country. Development of TICAR biotech potato started 20 years ago. The developers are currently working on potato varieties with drought tolerance and other virus resistance traits. TICAR potato is expected to be commercially available in Argentina in 2020.
Read the original article from eFarm News Argentina.
