Maize

**History and Development:**
– Maize arose from a single domestication in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago.
– Oldest maize types are from the Mexican highlands.
– Maize spread from Mexico to the lowlands and over the Americas along two major paths.
– Maize reached highland Ecuador at least 8000 years ago.
– Domesticated maize kernels do not fall off the cob on their own like teosinte.
– Olmec and Maya cultivated maize in various varieties throughout Mesoamerica.
– Maize was central to Olmec culture 3000 years ago.
– Mapuche people of Chile cultivated maize, quinoa, and potatoes.
– Maize was traded as far south as Argentina before the Inca Empire expansion.

**Cultural Impact and Exchange:**
– Spanish settlers consumed maize after 1492.
– Maize became common peasant food in Southern Europe by the 17th century.
– Malnutrition issues arose where maize became a staple food.
– Maize was traded as far south as Argentina before the Inca Empire expansion.
– Maize was central to Olmec culture 3000 years ago.
– Maize was a staple crop for various pre-Columbian civilizations.
– Maize played a significant role in the diets of indigenous peoples across the Americas.

**Names and Terminology:**
– Name ‘maize’ comes from the Spanish ‘maíz’ of the Taíno ‘mahis.’
– ‘Maize’ is preferred in formal and scientific usage internationally.
– ‘Corn’ is mainly used in the United States and some English-speaking countries.
– ‘Corn’ for maize originated as a shortening of ‘Indian corn’ in 18th century North America.
– Carl Linnaeus used ‘maize’ as the species epithet in Zea mays.

**Botanical Structure and Genetics:**
– Maize is a tall annual grass with a single stem, ranging from 1.2m to 4m in height.
– Leaves of maize arise from the nodes or joints of the stem.
– Maize has male inflorescences called tassels and female inflorescences called ears.
– Maize is diploid with 20 chromosomes.
– Exotic varieties contribute genetic diversity in breeding.

**Growth, Reproduction, and Uses:**
– Maize requires specific night length and warm days to flower.
– Maize shoots produce a protective antibiotic substance.
– Maize can grow tall rapidly for biofuel production.
– Maize is a source of allergenic pollen.
– Maize is cultivated worldwide, with a production of 1.1 billion tonnes in 2020.