Maize
Maize, also known as corn in the United States and mielies in South Africa, is a significant grain crop scientifically classified as Zea mays. Characterized by its soft kernels on a cob, maize is a key source of carbohydrates and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. There are several classifications of maize, including dent, flint, and sweet corn, with dent corn being predominant in the U.S. It plays a vital role not only in human diets—found in products like canned corn and baby food—but also as livestock feed and in various industrial applications, including adhesives and pharmaceuticals.
Historically, maize domestication began in Mexico about 9,000 years ago, with early farming practices involving selective breeding. Over time, the crop has evolved significantly, with modern maize cobs exhibiting more rows of kernels than their ancient counterparts. Cultivation requires specific conditions, including consistent rainfall and optimal temperatures, with major production occurring in the United States and South Africa. In South Africa, maize serves as a staple food and economic driver, particularly following deregulation in the industry. The crop supports numerous jobs in farming, processing, and technology, and innovations like mobile milling technology aim to enhance its production and accessibility. Overall, maize holds cultural, dietary, and economic importance across diverse regions.
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Maize
Maize is a type of grain. Known as corn in the United States and as mielies (or spelt mealies) in South Africa, it is considered one of the main domesticated food crops. The scientific name for maize is Zea mays. Maize is classified as a wild plant having soft kernels on a cob. These seeds or kernels are starchy in nature. Classifications of corn comprise dent, flint, flour, pod, wax, sweet, and popcorn. Dent corn is the primary maize type produced in the United States. Maize is an important source of carbohydrates and has a good level of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Maize or corn is used in numerous food stuffs such as canned corn, baby food, and puddings. Not only is it an important human dietary food product, it is also utilized as livestock fodder. Industrially it is included in the components of numerous materials such as insulating and adhesive types, dyes, insecticides, solvents, and pharmaceutical products. In addition to its domestic or industrial use, maize has been the subject of academic studies, particularly pertaining to genetics. Agricultural studies regarding soil fertility are also part of the studies of maize, as well as physiological and biochemistry research.
History
The history of maize appears to have begun in Mexico when ancient farmers planted seeds (kernels) of maize. Studies suggest that the farmers practiced a type of selective breeding when they chose kernels bearing a favorable characteristic or taste. This is also called artificial selection.
Further studies relate that the discovery of corn occurred in 1492 during Columbus's travels, with the grain being found in Cuba (Gibson and Benson). In this instance, it was said to have been exported to Europe, where it became valued in later years as a significant food substance.
Scientists have discovered evidence that there is a link between maize and teosinte, a type of Mexican grass. Initially it was thought that teosinte was more closely related to rice than maize. However, Nobel Prize winner Dr. George W. Beadle identified that maize and teosinte shared similar chromosomes. He reached the conclusion that they belonged to the same species, with maize being the domesticated version. Further forensic studies were conducted by botanists, genetic experiments performed, and archaeological excavations in the Balsas River Valley of Mexico carried out to prove the theory. Tools dating back 8,700 years were located indicating the use of maize correlating with the premise that the domestication of maize occurred 9,000 years ago.
Maize cobs have increased in size from the earliest recordings of the plant to specifications of maize known in 2015, especially that they contain more rows of kernels. Early plants evidently bear little resemblance to the type of corn with which we are familiar.
The national park in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers corn farming in the valley, thousands of years after the first inhabitants offered prayers to "mother corn" to take care of their plant crops (Hilaire). Festive celebratory dances and songs were conducted to offer gratitude for the reaping of corn and other plants. The farming of corn is still operational in this area, together with soy and other grains. Large machinery has replaced the small hand instruments to yield abundant crops.
Overview
In order for maize to grow, a rainfall exceeding 350 mm per year is required. The rain needs to fall consistently during the season of growth, particularly in an area of medium and high potential warm soils. In South Africa, October to December are primary maize planting times. Depending on the region and the rainfall pattern, planting time may vary as do tillage practices. The summer months are best for the maize crop, needing temperatures between 21-27 degrees Celsius. The latitudes 55 degrees north to 45 degrees south are the primary cultivation areas. Planting is usually set up in rows that are three to five centimeters deep, with row spacings between 50 to 210 centimeters.
In the United States, Iowa leads as the most productive state for corn, with Illinois following. Although there is reportedly less total acreage of corn production than in previous years, planting levels have increased. Iowa boasts a type of soil that is conducive to growing the crop, together with favorable weather conditions. Maize feed is supplied to livestock industries and comes primarily from Iowa farms. Significant employment is made possible as a result of the crop farming, including processing corn, marketing, and technological equipment and machinery required for production.
In South Africa, maize is the predominant staple diet of a large section of the population. From 1997, the South African maize industry was no longer government subsidized. This deregularization shifted the economic framework from a national to a free-market climate. There is no price control, and producers are free to set their own prices and trade without restriction, within quality and hygiene standards. South African maize farmers have traded regularly with countries internationally, receiving imports from the United States, Argentina, and Kenya. Exported maize goods are sent to countries in Africa such as Mozambique, Angola, and Zambia and internationally to Japan, Iran, and Venezuela. Maize farming in South Africa provides work for thousands of commercial farmers and their hired staff. In addition to maize being produced as a staple food substance, maize as a raw material is also a significant economic factor. Numerous industries including stock-feeding, wet milling, poultry, and dairy enterprises are dependent on maize.
The Department of Trade and Industry in conjunction with a Swiss company, the Buhler Group, have introduced a new technology in the form of a compact mobile mill to boost the maize industry in South Africa. The mill, part of the government's Industrial Policy Action Plan, is intended for small and medium millers as well as commercial maize farmers. This is an industrialization initiative that further aims to reduce the cost of maize meal for the population.
Bibliography
Carroll, Sean B. "Tracking the Ancestry of Corn Back 9,000 Years." The New York Times. 24 May 2010. Web. 9 Nov. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/science/25creature.html?‗r=0>.
Gibson, L., and Benson, G. "Origin, History, and Uses of Corn." Jan. 2002. Web. 9 Nov. 2015. <http://agron-www.agron.iastate.edu/Courses/agron212/Readings/Corn‗history.htm>.
Hilaire, Larry. "Corn: An American Native." Spanning the Gap. Spring 2000. 9 Nov. 2015.
National Department of Agriculture. Maize Profile. Web. 9 Nov. 2015. <http://www.daff.gov.za/docs/FactSheet/maize.htm>.
SouthAfrica.info. "Compact Maize Mill to Draw Small Players." 15 Apr. 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2015. <http://www.southafrica.info/business/economy/development/maize-milling-150413.htm#.VkEOormhdMs>.
United States Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service. "Below-Average 2012/2013 Corn Yields in South Africa Caused by Drought in North West and Free State Provinces." 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2015. <http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/highlights/2013/04/SouthAfrica/>.
University of Utah Health Sciences. Genetic Science Learning Center. "The Evolution of Corn." Web. 9 Nov. 2015. <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/selection/corn/>.
Yara. "Crop Nutrition." <http://yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition/crops/maize/key-facts/agronomic-principles/>.