For a simplification, a purchase of silo-maize was assumed resulting in an ecological footprint evaluation of 1.2 ha maize.
Considering the competition for land, it was assumed that maize used for energy must be compensated by an import of an equivalent amount of fodder.
It was assumed that the antecedents of barley and rice separated from those of maize and sorghum 50 mya (data not shown).
Maize seeds and seedlings are assumed to survive the winter only in southern European countries, such as Spain, where maize kernels that remain on the soil after harvest can germinate and develop into flowering individuals, which can locally cross-pollinate neighbouring maize plants [8].
Similarly, maize COV1 ortholog could be assumed to be involved in lignified fiber tissue patterning.
Thus, it can be assumed that maize will be around for some time, raising the question how changing regional or local conditions will affect its yield potential.
In the case of bioethanol production, i.e., to meet the feedstock requirements of the national bioethanol plant, a maize wheat ratio of 1 1 is assumed.
Because the dry matter content of the yields is probably rarely recorded and, if so, it definitely does not find its way into the highly aggregated statistical data, a value of 35% dry matter content for maize harvested for silage has been assumed.
It is assumed that providing maize for the fermentation process requires substitution of feed, e.g. by import, and therefore increases the ecological pressure on field by 20%.
Due to the increased cultivation of energy plants, it can be assumed that the cultivation of maize (biogas) and oilseed rape (biodiesel) will be intensified in the future.
