Isozymatic and Morphological Diversity in the Races of Maize of Mexico

G., J. J. Sanchez; Goodman, M. M.; Stuber, C. W.

doi:10.1007/bf02866599

Cited by 197 publications

(251 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Isozyme analysis suggests a small genetic distance, and weak population differentiation shown by isozyme analysis suggests weak genetic differentiation. In conventional taxonomy of Mexican maize (10,11), Tzotzil maize from Chamula is Olotón and Tzeltal maize from Oxchuc is Comiteco. Farmers in the two ethnolinguistically distinct municipalities maintain maize populations that can be identified according to traits that are easily recognized by them, especially grain color, flint vs. dent grain, ear length and weight, and the ratio of ear diameter to length.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The crop is conventionally divided into regional populations or races that are distinguishable by morphological, biochemical, and genetic markers (11). Continuous variation occurs among maize races in Mexico, although regional clusters or complexes are also apparent, each comprising several races that are more closely allied with one another and genetically more distant from races in other clusters.…”

Section: Maize Diversity In Mexicomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chiapan maize constitutes a distinct regional cluster, with seven races characterized by late maturity, tall plants, [23][24][25][26][27][28] leaves per plant, many tassel branches, long ears, and extreme sensitivity to photoperiod and temperature (11). Above 1,800 m of altitude and in the lands of the highland Tzeltal and Tzotzil, the two most common races are Olotón and Comiteco (Fig.…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

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Maize diversity and ethnolinguistic diversity in Chiapas, Mexico

Perales

Benz

Brush

2005

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

194

161

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The objective of this study is to investigate whether ethnolinguistic diversity influences crop diversity. Factors suggest a correlation between biological diversity of crops and cultural diversity. Although this correlation has been noted, little systematic research has focused on the role of culture in shaping crop diversity. This paper reports on research in the Maya highlands (altitude > 1,800 m) of central Chiapas in southern Mexico that examined the distribution of maize (Zea mays) types among communities of two groups, the Tzeltal and Tzotzil. The findings suggest that maize populations are distinct according to ethnolinguistic group. However, a study of isozymes indicates no clear separation of the region's maize into two distinct populations based on ethnolinguistic origin. A reciprocal garden experiment shows that there is adaptation of maize to its environment but that Tzeltal maize sometimes out-yields Tzotzil maize in Tzotzil environments. Because of the proximity of the two groups and selection for yield, we would expect that the superior maize would dominate both groups' maize populations, but we find that such domination is not the case. The role of ethnolinguistic identity in shaping social networks and information exchange is discussed in relation to landrace differentiation.crop diversity ͉ culture ͉ Maya ethnic groups ͉ cultural diversity

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Maize Diversity In Mexicomentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Maize diversity and ethnolinguistic diversity in Chiapas, Mexico

Perales

Benz

Brush

2005

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

194

161

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“…' Wellhausen et al (1952) refined this concept and used it to describe the diversity of maize types cultivated in Mexico. Currently, 59 races have been described in Mexico (Sanchez et al, 2000). Phenotypic diversity is quite obvious in kernel color, ear and kernel shape and size, and agronomic traits such as plant height and length of the growing cycle.…”

Section: Maize Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In certain regions of Mexico, maize landraces are being lost to modern varieties, especially hybrids, and some races are difficult to find (Sanchez et al, 2000). Throughout Mexico, however, modern varieties account for only 20% of the area planted to maize, despite the availability of modern varieties for the last 40 years (Morris and Lopez-Pereira, 1999).…”

Section: The Invasive Species Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Mexican Agricultural Systems and the Potential Impacts of Transgenic Varieties on Maize Diversity

Bellon

Berthaud

2006

Agric Hum Values

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Abstract. The discovery of transgenes in maize landraces in Mexico, a center of diversity for this crop, raises questions about the potential impact of transgene diffusion on maize diversity. The concept of diversity and farmers' role in maintaining diversity is quite complex. Farmers' behavior is expected to have a significant influence on causing transgenes to diffuse, to be expressed differently, and to accumulate within landraces. Farmers' or consumers' perceptions that transgenes are ''contaminants'' and that landraces containing transgenes are ''contaminated'' could cause these landraces to be rejected and trigger a direct loss of diversity.

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Dedication: Major M. Goodman: Maize Geneticist and Breeder

Holland¹,

Nelson²

2010

Plant Breeding Reviews

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Isozymatic and Morphological Diversity in the Races of Maize of Mexico

Cited by 197 publications

References 25 publications

Maize diversity and ethnolinguistic diversity in Chiapas, Mexico

Maize diversity and ethnolinguistic diversity in Chiapas, Mexico

Traditional Mexican Agricultural Systems and the Potential Impacts of Transgenic Varieties on Maize Diversity

Dedication: Major M. Goodman: Maize Geneticist and Breeder

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