Large-pT inclusive π0 cross sections and next-to-leading-order QCD predictions

We review the phenomenology of pi(0) production at large transverse momentum in proton-induced collisions. Uncertainties in the next-to-leading-order predictions of Quantum Chromodynamics are discussed. The comparison with data reveals that the disagreement between theory and experiment lies essentially in an overall normalization factor. The situation for pi(0) production is contrasted with that of prompt-photon production in hadronic collisions.