Abstract
Maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) is the second most cultivated crop all over the world with a multi-billion dollar annual revenue. Besides its high agricultural importance, maize serves as an important model species for plant biology and genetics. In this chapter, we provided a brief overview of maize farming systems, production and uses. Next, we described the use of maize as a model organism in developmental biology, genetics, cytogenetics and breeding. Finally, the recent advances in the origin, evolution, and domestication of maize were discussed. This chapter will provide the readers an insight into the economic and academic values of maize as well as its origin and domestication.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Maize |
| Publisher | CRC Press |
| Pages | 1-13 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781482228137 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781482228120 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Composition
- Domestication
- Economic importance
- History
- Model crop