Poland: European corn borer threatens plantations

Warsaw - Corn farmers losses caused by the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) in Poland are estimated at 59 million € annually. The pest has become a major problem not only in agriculture, but also in horticulture since sweet corn is an important vegetable grown for the fresh market, as well as for processing. Damages are significant during warm summers and in the warmest regions of Poland.

The larval stage tunnels into corn stalks and ear shanks, and will feed on kernels in the ear. Damaged ears are useless for processing. Sweet corn is a relatively new crop in Poland, but its acreage expands fast and was estimated at about 3 thousand hectares in recent years. Hungary is a European leader in this vegetable production (39 thousand hectares), followed by France (26 thousand hectares), Italy (3800 hectares) and Spain (3000 ha). According to scientists, losses can be avoided by allowing to grow genetically modified corn, but this is impossible due to the Polish ban on such crops.

In recent years European corn borer became also a major pest of sweet pepper grown under plastic tunnels in Poland. It even looks like the pest prefers pepper to corn, destroying green and red fruits (what is interesting caterpillars doesn’t like yellow fruits). German, French and American sources notice that European corn borer can also feed on tomatoes, potatoes, celeries and green pea.

Publication date: March 7 2007
Author: FreshPlaza Correspondent Poland
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com