The Aragonese Center for Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture (CITA) is leading an ambitious European project to study teosinte, an invasive species that threatens corn crops in Spain and France. This effort, in collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority and other institutions, aims to better understand this agricultural issue.
The Challenge of Teosinte in Cornfields
Teosinte, first identified in Aragon in 2014, is an ancestor of maize that cannot be controlled with conventional herbicides. Since its discovery, the Center for Plant Health and Certification has conducted periodic inspections. An initial study between 2015 and 2017 addressed basic aspects of its biology and control methods, but the need for more in-depth research arose.
The project «Monitoring and Evaluation of the Potential Impact of Teosinte on Corn Crops in the EU» has as its main objectives to map its distribution, study its hybridization with Bt corn, and assess the presence of specific insects and proteins. Additionally, it aims to genetically characterize Spanish teosinte in comparison to the French.
International Collaboration and Project Structure
The project includes participation from renowned entities such as the CSIC, the University of Lleida, and INRAE from France. At CITA, the team is comprised of researchers like Alicia Cirujeda and Gabriel Pardo, who work alongside technicians and analysts to address this challenge. The CSCV and the Government of Catalonia are also actively collaborating.
The inspections conducted in 2025, which included 1,595 plots, revealed that teosinte remains present in 1.7% of the plots. However, control measures have managed to keep the infestation contained, with most of the hotspots located in previously affected areas.
Results and Future Perspectives
The results of the monitoring in 2025 are encouraging: teosinte hotspots have been largely eradicated, and control measures have proven effective in Aragon. Although teosinte remains a threat, the containment of its spread is a significant achievement for the researchers and farmers involved.
The success of this project highlights the importance of international collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach to address complex agricultural challenges. As the project progresses, findings are expected to continue informing effective strategies for managing this invasive species in Europe.
