More on Maize and Its Growth

Corn or Maize – Zea mays

Zeamayssubsp.mexicana

Zeamayssubsp.mays

Variation in ear size and kernel color fromMexican landraces of corn

Steps from Teosinte to Maize

1. Maize cobs do not shatter (fall apart) whereas teosinte ears shatter when mature

2. Each teosinte grain is netled in a hard, deep floral structure the cupule and covered by a hard sheath (the glume). The grains of corn are naked and held outside a collapsed cupule

3. Each teosinte cupule contains a single fertile spikelet; maize cupules have two fertile spikelets

4. Teosinte cupules are arranged in 2 ranks (rows) but maize are in 4 to 10 rows

5. Teosinte has long primary branches that each ends in a male tassel and there are numerous tiny ears along each branch. Maize has short primary branches that end in a single ear – only a few ears per plant; male tassel at apex of plant

Hugh Iltis – then and now

Apical dominance

Apical dominance

Apical dominance

Teosinte to Maize

Feminized Tassels

Feminized Tassels

Sweet Corn Traditions

Boiling Sweet Corn

Traditional Consumption

Grilling Sweet Corn

Traditional Pop Corn Variety

Corn Popping

Squanto and Pilgrims

North Eastern Native American Groups

Three Sisters Mound System

Three Sisters Mound System

Three Sisters Planting Scheme

Benefits of Three Sisters Mounds• In the Northeast where ground was frequently cold and damp in

early spring, mounds allowed the soil to warm up and drain more quickly

• Mounds allowed an increase in soil organic matter by repeatedly incorporating dead plant material with soil in mounds

• Decomposition of dead plant material increased soil nutrients; also growing beans which are N-fixers increased soil N for all plants in the mound

• Mounds minimized soil compaction (people did not walk on mounds, but around them) and reduced soil erosion as fields were not constantly plowed or dug up

• Mound system allowed easy regulation of plant spacing and plant populations