90 



growers, processors and consumers alike. There is however, little 

 incentive for plant breeders to seek these improvements in 

 potatoes because any new potato variety can be propagated by 

 others without the breeder's consent. Despite this, Frito-Lay 

 pursued an intensive program for the development of improved 

 potato varieties that has demonstrated real benefits to our 

 growers and our customers. 



Growers benefit when we develop new varieties that we can 

 adapt to specific geographic areas. For example, we developed 

 the FL795, which is a high quality, dependable variety adapted to 

 the South. We know of no other commercial variety that has the 

 consistent yield and quality to grow in South Texas year after 

 year. Without this variety, it would not be economical to grow chip 

 potatoes in South Texas. Another example of successful varietal 



-5- 



