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Maize Diversity, Domestication and EvolutionWithin the last 10,000 years, early Native Americans were able to transform teosinte, a wild grass with only two entwined rows of small, well-armored kernels, into maize--the largest grain crop in the world. This transformation was not only the product of skillful breeding through artificial selection, but also a tribute to the tremendous diversity of the teosinte genome. This abundant natural variation has been the focus of much research, as scientists study the origin, domestication and evolution of the maize genome in hopes of improving crop yield and increasing kernel quality. Learn more about these endeavors--past and present--by using the links below: Evolutionary relationships between maize and other grass species
Taxonomy and distribution of teosinte (maize's wild relatives)
Genome structure of maize and other grasses
Genetics of maize domestication
Archaeology of maize domestication
Dispersal of maize races
Maize breeding over the last two centuries
Brief history of maize domestication studies
Ecological impact of maize domestication and breeding
Frequently Asked Questions (How, When, and Where)
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