From creole corn varieties (zea mays l.), to transgenic hybrids. i: germplasm collection and improved cultivars
Abstract
This series of two articles does not attempt to be an exhaustive
review of the origin of corn, its use, its genetic improvement or,
even less, its economy. In the first part, a very shallow review
about the origin of corn is made, mainly to recognize the work of
two Mexican professors on the origin of this plant from teocintle.
In addition, it is stressed the growing and recent activity in corn
germplasm collection, even in places where there is not such a
wide diversity like the Northwest of México. A review is also
made of the Creole varieties improved in our country with the
goal of arguing in favor of peasants of low means having access to
improved germplasm with varieties of free pollination and
synthetic varieties. Out of a total of 130 populations of this type
catalogued in México by the INIFAP (Instituto Nacional de
Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícilas y Pecuarias), only two dozens
are shown here with some of their outstanding characteristics,
plus 55 populations improved by public universities, which are
virtually only mentioned. The objective, although somewhat
historical, is to show the readers that in our country, breeding
professionals have not stopped working and liberating materials
that in many cases are similar or superior to those of private seed
companies. This is so that, in face of the imminent entry of
transgenic seeds into México, it is convenient for farmers to know
that improved seed produced in our country, both in free
pollination varieties and in hybrids, have equivalent or superior
counterparts, and at a price less than half of that of the transgenic
seeds.
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