Seed-bearing structure of teosinte, the wild
plant from which corn was developed.
Photo: Hugh Iltis
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Maize (corn) originated in southern Mexico when
early farmers selected variants of the wild plant teosinte that
yielded more seeds and produced them in a more easily harvested
form. Farmers continued to select early maize for adaptation
to different environmental conditions, appearance, and food
uses. This process was aided by the natural tendency of corn
plants to cross-pollinate with other corn plants, thus shuffling
genes and providing more variation from which to select the
most desirable plants. The natural genetic diversity of maize
in its area of origin, combined with the geographic and ethnic
diversity of southern Mexico, has resulted in the development
by farmers of many distinct "landraces", native varieties of
corn that are adapted to specific areas. Thus, southern Mexico
is considered a global center of maize genetic diversity, a
potential resource for corn breeders everywhere. |
