Maize diversity and ethnolinguistic diversity in Chiapas, Mexico (original) (raw)
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A test of ecological and ethnolinguistic determinants of maize diversity in southern Mexico
While prevailing theories of crop evolution suggest that crop diversity and cultural diversity should be linked, empirical evidence for such a link remains inconclusive. In particular, few studies have investigated such patterns on a local scale. Here, we address this issue by examining the determinants of maize diversity in a local region of high cultural and biological richness in Southern Mexico. We collected maize samples from villages at low and mid elevations in two adjacent municipalities of differing ethnicity: Mixtec or Chatino. Although morphological traits show few patterns of population structure, we see clear genetic differentiation among villages, with municipality explaining a larger proportion of the differentiation than altitude. Consistent with an important role of social origin in patterning seed exchange, metapopulation model-based estimates of differentiation match the genetic data within village and ethnically distinct municipalities, but underestimate differen...
A maize landscape: Ethnicity and agro-biodiversity in Chiapas Mexico
Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2007
The ecology of maize (Zea mays L.) in Mexico, its center of domestication and diversity, has been researched for several decades. While the broad outlines of diversity and dynamics of native maize populations are known at the farm and national levels, these topics are less well known at the landscape level. Although environmental factors are the principal forces behind the overall diversity of the species in Mexico, recent research suggests that social origin, for instance community of residence or ethno-linguistic group, influences maize population structure at more local levels. A landscape perspective can help to determine whether these social factors operate in a consistent fashion across different environments. Case study data from Chiapas are presented and used to illustrate the role of ethnicity in understanding the ecology of maize diversity in Mexico. The paper contrasts the maize populations and management practices of Spanish speaking mestizos and Mayan language speaking indigenous people across four altitude zones in Chiapas. Environmental differences are primary in determining the overall pattern of maize diversity across the Chiapan landscape, but social origin has a significant effect on maize populations in all environments. #
Maize diversity associated with social origin and environmental variation in Southern Mexico
Heredity, 2016
While prevailing theories of crop evolution suggest that crop diversity and cultural diversity should be linked, empirical evidence for such a link remains inconclusive. In particular, few studies have investigated such patterns on a local scale. Here, we address this issue by examining the determinants of maize diversity in a local region of high cultural and biological richness in Southern Mexico. We collected maize samples from villages at low and middle elevations in two adjacent municipalities of differing ethnicity: Mixtec or Chatino. Although morphological traits show few patterns of population structure, we see clear genetic differentiation among villages, with municipality explaining a larger proportion of the differentiation than altitude. Consistent with an important role of social origin in patterning seed exchange, metapopulation model-based estimates of differentiation match the genetic data within village and ethnically distinct municipalities, but underestimate differentiation when all four villages are taken together. Our research provides insights about the importance of social origin in structuring maize diversity at the local scale.
Economic Botany
Oaxaca is one of the areas of early maize diversification, with 28 to 35 recognized agronomic races. Campesinos (farmers) cultivate at least ten different races in the Los Loxicha region. There is evidence of introgression between them; however, some traditional practices have promoted further differentiation evidenced by the presence of different landraces, clearly recognized by various morphological and phenological characteristics. Therefore, moderate levels of genetic diversity and low levels of population differentiation are expected. Seven communities belonging to two municipalities were selected in 2005. In total, 140 semistructured interviews were administered, inquiring about cultural practices, which included questions about maize seed, ear, and cob management and selection and maize cultivation. Based on interviews and permissions, 30 maize plants from each of 28 fields (milpas) with maize crop belonging to five landraces (Conejo, Hueso, Tablita, Tepecente, and Pinto) wer...
Race diversity in dryland maize (Zea mays L.) landraces from southern Nuevo León, Mexico
2021
Objective: To analyze the race diversity and geographic distribution of the native maize landraces currently cropped at southern Nuevo León, México. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was obtained from 41 accessions which represent the commercial production in the dry land area, where fertilization and pest control are scarcely used. Landraces were classified according to the CONABIO guidelines for ear traits. Results: The measured accessions correspond to seven maize races and to seven interracial crosses. The two most frequent maize races were Ratón and Cónico Norteño, mostly located in the dry areas with less rain. Study Limitations/Implications: Three races, Celaya, Tablilla de Ocho and Elotes Cónicos, had not been previously reported; while two formerly reported races Tabloncillo and Olotillo, were no longer found. This study did not include the grain-colored accessions. Findings/Conclusions: Three collections stood out for producing large ears with large kernels, thus showing a...
Mapping the diversity of maize races in Mexico
PloS one, 2014
Traditional landraces of maize are cultivated throughout more than one-half of Mexico's cropland. Efforts to organize in situ conservation of this important genetic resource have been limited by the lack of knowledge of regional diversity patterns. We used recent and historic collections of maize classified for race type to determine biogeographic regions and centers of landrace diversity. We also analyzed how diversity has changed over the last sixty years. Based on racial composition of maize we found that Mexico can be divided into 11 biogeographic regions. Six of these biogeographic regions are in the center and west of the country and contain more than 90% of the reported samples for 38 of the 47 races studied; these six regions are also the most diverse. We found no evidence of rapid overall decline in landrace diversity for this period. However, several races are now less frequently reported and two regions seem to support lower diversity than in previous collection perio...
2012
El patrimonio fitogenético tiene un importante valor cultural y económico en maíz (Zea mayz L.) por su propósito estratégico alimentario. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer antecedentes de manejo y caracterizar poblaciones nativas de maíces criollos. La metodología de trabajo fue realizar un concurso de maíces criollos blancos, basándose en criterios de productores locales de seis poblados de Tecoanapa, Guerrero. Esta primera etapa permitió conocer su diversidad, caracterizar sus mazorcas y seleccionar productores. En mayo de 2006 fueron seleccionados 29 agricultores y 42 parcelas con base en materiales que concursaron como “criollos locales”. Se realizaron encuestas sobre sus semillas, uso y manejo de criollos. Los resultados reportan el uso de 11 criollos. Palmeño y Olotillo fueron las de mayor uso y se caracterizaron con 24 variables. El análisis comparativo entre Palmeño y Olotillo muestra diferencias significativas entre la mayoría de variables. Para Olotillo se ejemplific...
Diversity of social, economic and production implications of maize systems in Mexico
2020
En México coexiste una diversidad de sistemas de producción agrícolas, desde campesinos basados en auto-subsistencia, hasta agronegocios industriales. Esto implica una heterogeneidad de características socioculturales, tecnológicas y económicas. Este artículo analiza tres sistemas de producción de maíz: pequeño (< 2 ha por productor), mediano (5-10 ha), y de gran escala (>50 ha). Con base en los microdatos de la Encuesta Nacional Agropecuaria 2014 y mediante la agregación de información a nivel nacional y estatal, se analizaron tendencias y diferencias entre estos tres sistemas en relación con tres ejes: (1) Características socioeconómicas (uso para venta y subsistencia, tenencia de la tierra, tipo de semilla y trabajo familiar); (2) Tecnología agrícola (rendimientos, irrigación, agroquímicos y tipo mano de obra); (3) Características económicas (programas gubernamentales, seguros, créditos y costos de producción). Los resultados demuestran que algunas de estas características...