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What is maize used for and how much is planted in Ireland? What are the issues with growing maize in Ireland? GM maize Global and EU distribution of GM Maize What is maize used for and how much is planted in Ireland? In Ireland, the entire maize plant above a 12-15 cm stubble is harvested in the autumn, stored in a clamp silo beneath polythene film and then fed as a preserved forage mainly to livestock housed indoors in winter. Maize is attractive as a forage crop because of the potentially high yield achieved in a single harvest, its relative ease of preservation, and its high intake characteristics that can underpin excellent animal performance. There is little commercial production of sweetcorn, maize grain or maize seed in Ireland. The land area cultivated under maize in 2006 was 20,200 hectares (see graph) and production is primarily concentrated in the east, south-east and south of the country.  What are the issues with growing maize in Ireland? As with most crops in Ireland, control of certain weeds can be problematic in maize crops. Another important management issue with maize is supplying the correct quantity of nitrogen (N) to the crop. N is available from three sources: (1) organic manure (slurry and farmyard manure), (2) soil N and (3) inorganic fertiliser N. Organic manures have the potential to supply all the N requirements of the maize crop. However, applying too much N will delay crop maturity and can be more damaging than applying too little. Other management issues that specifically arise in Ireland include: - A lack of maize varieties for grain production
- The fact that maize does not grow well at low temperatures
- A requirement for reliable, large inputs of sunshine (and modest rainfall) at specific times of the year
- The need for relatively high inputs to achieve economically satisfactory yields
GM maize In 1993, maize was successfully modified for insect resistance. To date, traits incorporated into GM maize varieties include: - Tolerance to the herbicides glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate
- Resistance to insects such as the Corn Root Worm (Diabrotica virgifera) and the European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)
- Improved yield or growth characteristics under drought conditions
- Increased nitrogen efficiency and improved grain composition (i.e. increased essential amino acid content)
At present, the only GM maize variety grown in the EU is Bt maize. Bt maize contains a gene from a bacterium that produces a toxin (Bt-toxin) to defend it from the European Corn Borer. The European Corn Borer is an insect pest, primarily found in southern and middle Europe, and is not currently a problem in Ireland. Future aims for the genetic modification of maize will incorporate: - Increased bioenergy potential
- Frost tolerance
There is no commercial cultivation of GM maize in Ireland and no research trials have been conducted to date. The most beneficial modifications for Irish maize growers at the moment would involve herbicide tolerance. Global and EU distribution of GM Maize GM maize is the second most commonly cultivated GM crop, with 25.2 million hectares planted globally in 2006. It is the only GM plant commercially cultivated within the EU. In 2007, 110,000 hectares were planted by six EU countries (Spain, France, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia; see table). | | | GM maize (ha) | | | 2006 | 2007 | % increase from 2006 to 2007 | Spain | 54,000 | 75,000 | 39% | France | 5,000 | 21,000 | 320% | Czech Republic | 1,290 | 5,000 | 288% | Portugal | 1,250 | 4,500 | 260% | Germany | 950 | 2,685 | 183% | | Slovakia | 30 | 900 | 2900% |
Source: GMO compass Source:
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