Modern Dünyanın Vazgeçilmez Bitkisi Mısır: Genetiği Değiştirilmiş (Transgenik) Mısırın Tarımsal Üretime Katkısı

Abstract

Corn is the largest grown (785 million tons) cereal in the world with doubled grain yield per unit area compared to wheat and
barley. In Turkey, corn is produced on approximately 550 thousand hectares with annual production of 3,5 million tons, of
which nearly half is produced in the Mediterranean region. The share of corn production as second crop in the Mediterranean
region is very high. Although, corn as second crop had 65% share in production during 2005 in Çukurova region, today this
ratio has sharp drop due to infestation of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and Mediterranean corn borer (Sesamia
nonagrioides). European corn borer fertilise 2-3 times per year in the Mediterranean region and Mediterranean corn borer
fertilise 4-5 times a year and if insecticides are not applied the losses could rise to 100% in late and second crop production.
Application of chemicals against these harmful insects is recommended 2-3 times. However, yield losses could rise up to
30% during years with severe insect outbreaks even after 4-5 application of these insecticides. On the other hand, without
using insecticides it is possible to get 30% increase in yield by production of insect-resistant genetically modified (GM) corn
varieties using biotechnological approaches. Insect-resistant GM corn varieties are currently grown in 17 countries including
7 EU countries on approximately 37 million hectares and are used as food and feed in 54 countries.Intensive risk analysis and
the results of 13 years global production of GM corn cultivars showed no significant risks on environment, human and animal 
health. The countries who apply a good risk management for the unpredictable effects on environmental and agricultural 
systems produce GM crops and farmers can achieve important gains in their agricultural practices and in their income. 
Production of GM corn cultivars as second crop in Mediterranean and GAP regions of Turkey will lead to important contributions 
to the farmers’ income and result in significant increase in corn production. Moreover,the foreign currency that is paid
to purchase on the average one million tons of corn every year from GM corn producing countries such as USA  will return
to our own farmers as their income.