Question

Name three aspects in corn (Zea mays) that allowed it to be successfully domesticated by Amerindians. Briefly describe on of them.

Answer 1

Three aspects that led to the domestication of maize plants are –

a) Starch – the starch of maize was very different from its wilds native i.e teosinte starch. The starch content was higher in maize and also the starch grains in maize were of large size. Due to high starch content, corn was considered as a staple food and hence domesticated.

b) Phytoliths discriminate the female reproductive structures from the male. Maize plants have phytoliths while its native wild species i.e teosinte do not have phytoliths or cobs. This feature made domestication of maize easier

c) Maize can be domesticated in lowland seasonal forest while its native wild species i.e teosinte grows in arid highlands. Suitability to natural agricultural practices also made maize a domesticable plant species