engleski

Resources for public maize breeding programs in Southeast Europe

Maize breeding programs in Southeast Europe - European Corn-Belt (Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia) were for decades of the second half of 20th century only in the public domain. Although not stimulating for commercial development of new technologies and traits, public research institutes of the region were making continuous enhancement of maize genetic resources all these years. The main sources for maize breeding in the region were original local Pannonian populations and varieties as well as elite adaptable US Corn- Belt material. However, limited time and funds were spent in research of high quality local germplasm per se. Some unique advantages of utilizing genetic, production, human and educational resources in public breeding institutes of the region such as Agricultural Institute Osijek, Croatia will be discussed. These advantages include i) simultaneous education, training and employment of young researchers via “scientific novice” program of the Croatian government intending to rapidly develop a pool of diverse, high-quality plant researchers and breeders, and ii) cooperation with public agricultural systems abroad aiming to optimally allocate genetic, production, and human resources.

maize breeding; resources; Southeast Europe

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