ZEASEC – Cropping strategies for preserving the health of maize yields in the face of climate change-induced drought events

The main objective of the ZEASEC task force is to preserve grain maize yields and health by reducing mycotoxin contamination in the face of an increased frequency of water stress situations as a consequence of climate change.

Therefore, the following specific objectives have been set:

1. To study the effect of water stresses, especially those associated with gravity irrigation, on grain yields and grain mycotoxin contamination, both the most relevant mycotoxins (fumonisins B1+B2+B3, DON, ZEA and aflatoxin B1), as well as others considered to be emerging.
2. Use the maize cycle to advance harvesting dates and avoid stresses and environmental conditions that limit productivity and favour the proliferation of mycotoxin-producing fungi.
3. Determine the interest, in situations of limited water availability, of alternative cereals to maize, such as grain sorghum.
4. Develop a simple, farmer-applicable method to infer the risk of fumonisin and DON contamination at plot level before harvesting. On this basis, group maize production into lots according to the estimated level of contamination.
5. Transfer the results to the production sector.

This research project will contribute to reducing the mycotoxin content in maize in order to guarantee food safety and improve the economic profitability of agri-food farms.

PARTICIPANTS:

• ESPORC, S.A. (Leader and coordinator).
• The Catalan Association of Compound Food Producers (ASFAC) (Beneficiary).
• INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y TECNOLOGÍA AGROALIMENTARIAS (IRTA) (Research Centre).

Action of the Strategic Plan of the PAC 2023-2027 co-financed by: