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Maize Seed Production in Croatia

In last five years, maize acreage of commercial production varied from 350, 000 to 450, 000 ha and, maize seed production has been on 2, 500 to 5, 500 ha. All maize maturity groups from FAO 100 to FAO 700 are grown. Later maturity groups are grown in Eastern Croatia (longitude approx. 18°-19°E.) and earlier groups in Northern and Central Croatia (longitude approx. 16°-17°E.) and at higher altitudes. Seed production of maize hybrids FAO 400-700 is predominantly in Eastern Croatia, while of hybrids FAO 100-500 is in Central part of Croatia. Both maize growing regions of Croatia belong to European Corn-Belt. Introduction of inbred line hybrids in maize production in Croatia began in 1950's. At the beginning, double crosses and three-way crosses were produced due to the low level of agricultural practices and low seed yield of the parental lines. Intensive introduction of single crosses occurred after 1975 and, very soon single crosses replaced all other hybrid categories on market, except the multiple line crosses produced for export to the former USSR. Emerging of multinational seed companies on former Yugoslav seed market took place during the 1980’ s. In spite of this, Croatian maize seed producers (Bc Institute for Plant Breeding and Production in Zagreb - Bc institute, and Agricultural Institute Osijek in Osijek - Os institute) still have approximately 65-70% of the market share. Total seed production hectarage ranged from about 7200 ha (1987) and 4650 ha (1988) to 1378 ha (1998) and 147 ha (1998) for Bc and Os institute respectively. The hybrid seed yield varied from less than 1.0 t/ha (Os material in 2000) to more than 3.5 t/ha (Bc material in 1982), mostly due to weather conditions in particular year. The main reason for low yield in Eastern Croatia is lack and/or unfavorable distribution of rainfall in period from flowering to waxy dough stage in late germplasm.

Maize; Seed production; Croatia

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