What is theosinte and why is it so dangerous to spread it?

It's a wild ancestor of corn. Its origin is in Mexico and Central America, where it is still common to grow in corn. In the Spanish state, however, in 2009 several Aragonese farmers detected a plant similar to that of maize in their arches. In 2014, the governments of Aragon and Catalonia confirmed that it was a theosinte. Unlike Mexico, teosint has caused significant economic damage in both communities. We don't know why, but teosinté is expanding very rapidly in artasoros, which has led to hybridization between the two species. As a result, production has been drastically reduced in several counties. Fortunately, hybridization occurs mainly from theosin to maize, and not the other way around, that is, most plants are still fertile. Furthermore, no mixture has so far been mixed with GM maize. The confusion of one of our endemic plants with transgenic genes and the loss of control over that plant would be a very serious problem.

What can be the consequences of this hybridization for the culture?

So far only a mixture of two plants has been produced. But these mixed plants can be a bridge for hybridization with theosinteare. That is, it can infect artagoras and transgenic plants. Transgenic maize from Aragon and Catalonia has been created to be an insecticide. If it is confused with theosin, the invading plant that extends uncontrollably could be reinforced. We believe that theosinte has not been mixed with transgenic maize, but a serious study has not been carried out.

Since theosintes originate in America, how has it reached the other side of the Atlantic?

The truth is, we don't know. Very little research has been done on teosinté, we do not even know whether the one here belongs to the family of Nicaragua, Guatemala or Mexico. There are several theories. Some say it came through a bouquet of seeds. Several farmers have confessed to us that in the fields of a seed company they found theosynth. If so, it would have been a serious recklessness, as it would have contributed to the spread of the invasive species. However, companies have always denied it and there is no way to prove it.

Do you know what the situation is in Navarre?

As for Narro, ignorance over theosinte predominates. The Association of Maize Seed Producers of Spain published a statement in which it assured that theosinte was spreading in Navarra. In addition, we have not received any further information. Unlike Aragon and Catalonia, the foral government of Navarre has not followed this bush at all, we have not found it. The area in which it occurred and the number of hectares affected are not known. The Government of Navarre is responsible for informing the farmers of theosinté, so that they can take measures to prevent the spread of the plant. Without the intervention of the Government, it is hardly possible to stop the expansion. The Government of Aragon has decided to ban the planting of maize in the fields affected by teosinte for three years.

Theosinte appeared in 2009. Why has it taken so long for the public authorities and producers to make plagiarism known?

When you're young, it's pretty hard to identify teosinte. At first he was thought to be a sorghum. Since theosinte is a plant in America, the producers did not expect its presence here. In any case, it is the question to which they should answer.

Do you think there is a risk of uncontrolled spread of teosinté?

The species that has appeared on the Iberian peninsula is totally invasive. It is a very biologically fertile plant, which produces hard seeds and has the ability to adapt to more than one type of ecosystem. Today's intensive agriculture, moreover, does not help. Monoculture and paradise of invasive agricultural plants without rotation. The effectiveness of teosinte control will depend on the measures to be taken.

He cited a ban on maize planting in several areas of Aragon. What other measures can be taken?

Some of the measures proposed so far have to do with pesticides. But pesticides are not the most appropriate solution, first of all, because of the consequences for people's health that their use can have on arches. On the other hand, we know that invasive plants can develop resistance to herbicides. Monitoring of the fields is essential. If teosinte were identified in the early stages, its dissemination would be more easily limited. The promotion of heterogeneous ecosystems, that is, the planting of different crops, would also reduce the conditions for the reproduction of the theointo. The care of tractors and machines is also important. Farmers and farmers often share machines, so that seeds are dispersed from one field to another. The participation of the institutions and farmers is therefore essential in order to be able to control teosinté.