1. Maize Consortium Improving the adaptability and yield stability of maize hybrids

2. Formation of sowing area and average yield of maize in Hungary, 1921-2000 (data by KSH)

3. Members of the Consortium University of Debrecen, Centre of Agricultural Sciences HAS Agricultural Research Institute, Martonvásár Cereal Research Non-Profit Company, Szeged HAS Research Institute for Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Budapest KITE Maize and Industrial Producing Co., Nádudvar Hungrana Starch and Isosugar Producing and Distributing Ltd., Szabadegyháza Gran-Export Industrial Trading and Service Ltd., Debrecen, Tiszafüred

4. Aim of research and developmental consortium For enhancing the competitiveness producing new improved breeding materials and breed nominees establishing the scientific development of maize production examining and defining the agronomical and environmental reactions of maize-hybrids determining the sustainability of the cultivation system improving yield stability

5. Planned research areas Exploring and efficiently using new genetic resources Determining the breeding-, agronomic- and economic values and utilizing maize hybrids Examining the adaptability and developing the cultivation technologies of new maize hybrids Industrial testing and consultation for new maize hybrids Quality testing of maize hybrids Utilization of maize hybrids for human purposes Marketing, selling and consultation for maize seed

6. Exploring and efficiently using new genetic sources Purpose: creation of fertile DH offspring, precipitating the selection of breeding materials with better stress tolerance, improving the adaptability and crop stability of maize hybrides with breeding

7. Tasks: input of haploid induction ability into elite lines by genetic means, crossbreeding and with use of exotic (Chinese) DH lines the different Sc, BC1, BC2 originated DHH lines will be used to transfer the haploid induction ability uncovering the alternative ways of crop differentiation in port cultures formed from micro-spores with detailed cytological ultra-structural examination evaluating the effectiveness of DH production strategy developed by HAS Cell-biological Research Team examining cold tolerance in young maize hybrids with biochemical and biophysical methods examination of drought- and heat tolerance determining the adaptability of maize against certain heavy metals increasing tolerance against abiotic and biotic stress factors decreasing sensibility of technological sensibilty of hybrides

8. Determining the breeding-, agronomic- and economic values and utilizing maize hybrides Purpose: breeding for resistance to herbicides ( exclusively based on the maize resistance gene), developing new maize hybrids, which have good adaptability and drought tolerance, and which utilise the nutrient supply and the fertiliser spread additionally in an efficient way Objetcs:  breeding work  using tissue culture methods (for increasing the efficiency of selection for drought tolerance)  performance trials  examining the productivity, stand ability and dry-down rate of the breed nominees at 6 different locations in Hungary  official trials conducted in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and in the European Union  production technological trials  large-scale trials of the hybrids carried out in Hungary, Romania and Slovakia

9. Examining adaptibility of new, Hungarian maize hybrids and developing their production technologies Purpose: introducing the new genotypes into scientific experiments, which provides priceless information for science as well as practice Objects:  determining the effects, interactions of tillage, fertilization, irrigation and plant density  evaluating the adaptability of maize hybrids with different genotype  determination of sowing time  examining the material and energy processes of soil  complex developing of plant protection technology  qualify control of floral products

10. Industrial testing of new maize-hybrids and consultation Purpose: trying out of the newly refined Hungarian maize on 22 industrial premises Objects:  designation of industrial experimental areas  providing of industrial and mechanical background, technological development  organizing of industrial harvests  collaboration in operating of consultation system  cooperation with partner estates  spreading of R+D results

11. Locations of large-scale trials of new maize hybrides

12. Processing and quality control of maize-hybrids Purpose: amplifying the application of Hungarian seed grains Objects:  processing and qualifying of maize-base materials  preparation and qualifying of starch, isosugar and alcoholic products  evaluating of maize-base materials for food industrial  consultation with farmers and suppliers

13. Utilization of maize-hybrides for human purposes Purpose: selecting and experimentally processing of the high quality and low fat-content maize by the use of Hungarian genetic-stores Objects:  industrial milling of maize stocks  separate processing of harvested yield  quality check in laboratories  qualification of different maize genotypes, according to milling output

14. Distribution, sale and consultation of maize seed Purpose: introducing the examined hybrides, products and information to the market, and then marketing them in commercial network Objects:  commerce of seed grain and maize  determination of market expectations  processing marketing information and experiences, feedback

15. Summary The Consortium builds upon the existing R+D results It applies significant capacity for methodological and technological development improving breeding and efficiency of production It aspires to publish the new scientific results and to apply them in practice

16. Introducing the professionals playing key role Dr. Barnabás Beáta, DSc Dr. Berzsenyi Zoltán, DSc Dr. Győrffy Béla, DSc Dr. Győri Zoltán, DSc Dr. Kálmán László CSc Dr. Marton L. Csaba CSc Dr. Mórócz Sándor CSc Dr. Németh Tamás MTA levelező tagja Dr. Páldi Emil DSc Dr. Pepó Péter CSc Dr. Sárvári Mihály CSc Dr. Szél Sándor CSc Dr. Széll Endre CSc

17. Formation of sowing area in Hungary, 2000.

18. Thank you for your honourable interest!