Baseline information on agricultural practices in the EU ... - Europabio

4 Preparation
4.1 Seeds
Breeding goals for maize differ somewhat according to the envisaged use (grain vs silage, energy;
climatic region). Common goals are yield improvement, maturity, standability and pest and disease
resistance.
Maize was first used for human consumption, and only later as an animal feed, first as fresh green
fodder in summer, later ensiled for winter feeding (Barrière et al., 2006 8 ). In the first half of the
twentieth century open pollinated varieties were used. They were gradually replaced by the higher
yielding hybrids.
In Europe for a long time the focus was on grain characteristics rather than on qualities as an animal
feed (Barrière et al., 2005 9 ). First in the Netherlands and later in other countries the digestibility of the
plant was worked on. In 1988, the feeding value became a registration criterion in the Netherlands,
expressed as ‘feed units dairy cows per kilogram dry matter’ (voedereenheden melkvee per kilogram
droge stof, VEM/kg DM). Since then the average feeding value of hybrids increased by 8%, and the in
vitro whole plant digestibility with 30% (Barrière et al., 2005). Today starch content and high cell wall
digestibility are very important.
In the 1980s a significant improvement of earliness was noticed. The acreage of silage maize in
Denmark increased simultaneously (Barrière et al., 2006). The early types combined later silking,
which means more leaves and a higher leaf area index, with faster grain filling and grain drying.
Also a better cold tolerance and early vigour have contributed to this phenomenon.
In more recent years characters such as drought tolerance (better water use efficiency), nitrogen use
efficiency, or stress tolerance in general are becoming important as well.
European legislation requires that every variety undergoes official trials for DUS (Distinctness,
Uniformity, Stability) and VCU (Value for Cultivation and Use) before commercialisation. The
guidelines for the VCU and DUS tests are summarised in Directive 2002/53/EC 10 . For maize, Directive
2003/90/EC 11 refers to the ‘Protocols for distinctness, uniformity and stability tests’ of the
Administrative Council of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO)(CPVO-TP 002/3 12 ). For the
VCU the minimum items to test are not defined in detail; i.e. yield, resistance to harmful organisms,
behaviour with respect to factors in the physical environment, and quality characteristics. Since 2007,
the Commission is in the process of reviewing the legislation on the marketing of seeds and plant
propagating material, as part of its better regulation initiative 13 .
The common catalogue is based on the national lists of the Member States. All Member States
compile one or more national catalogues of the varieties accepted for certification and marketing in
their territory. The implementation of VCU testing by the Member States might be different, resulting in
different admission levels between countries. Differences exist in the preparation of the seed, trial layout/field
protocol, evaluated (quality) characteristics, methods of analysis, etc.
8
Barrière Y., Alber D., Dolstra O., Lapierre C., Motto M., Ordas A., Van Waes J., Vlasminkel L.,
Welcker C., Monod J.P. (2006) Past and prospects of forage maize breeding in Europe. II. History,
germplasm evolution and correlative agronomic changes. Maydica 51: 435-449.
9
Barrière, Alber D., Dolstra O., Lapierre C., Motto M., Ordas A., Van Waes J., Vlasminkel L., Welcker
C., Monod J.P. (2005) Past and prospects of forage maize breeding in Europe. I. The grass cell wall
as a basis of genetic variation and future improvements in feeding value. Maydica 50: 259-274.
10
Council Directive 2002/53/EC of 13 June 2002 on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural
plant species. OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 1-15.
11
Commission Directive 2003/90/EC of 6 October 2003 setting out implementing measures for the
purposes of Article 7 of Council Directive 2002/53/EC as regards the characteristics to be covered as
a minimum by the examination and the minimum conditions for examining certain varieties of
agricultural plant species. OJ L 254, 08.10.2003, p. 7-10.
12
http://www.cpvo.europa.eu/documents/TP/agricoles/TP_002-3_ZEA_MAYS.pdf
13
http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/propagation/evaluation/index_en.htm
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