2025 campaign, genetic advances and regulations: highlights from the CTPS maize and sorghum section

The CTPS maize and sorghum section met on 2 October to discuss the latest news on the 2025 campaign, to review the progress made by expert groups, particularly with regard to revising the progress goals set for varieties to be studied from 2026 and to be informed of ongoing discussions on methods for assessing the stability of maize varieties. European regulatory developments, particularly proposals for PRM and NGT regulations, were also discussed.

The next meeting will be held on 20 January 2026 to examine proposals for the inclusion of new varieties in the Official French Catalogue.

The main highlights of the maize and sorghum growing season were presented by Arvalis and FNPSMS representatives. Maize sowing was early and harvests are expected to be early with low grain moisture levels. Some areas were severely affected by water stress from the start of the cycle (Poitou-Charentes, Pays-de-la-Loire, Centre and Auvergne). The hot weather in mid-August accelerated desiccation. In a one-off occurrence, leaf beetle damage was observed in Nouvelle Aquitaine, as were symptoms of MRDV (a virus transmitted by the brown planthopper). The southern sorghum area suffered from high water stress, resulting in low yields. As harvesting is not yet complete, the national yield figures and seed production targets are to be refined.

The work carried out by the expert groups was presented. One of the main topics concerned the genetic progress observed in the varieties listed in the Official French Catalogue for the period 2011-2025, with a view to setting the progress targets required for the next varieties to be studied. The genetic progress observed in terms of yield characteristics for maize and sorghum remains positive.