Farmers' seed selection practices and traditional maize varieties in Cuzalapa, Mexico |
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Authors: | D Louette M Smale |
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Institution: | (1) Instituto Manantlán de Ecología y Conservación de la Biodiversidad (IMECBIO), University of Guadalajara, 151 Av. Independencia Nacional, 48900 Autlán Jalisco, Mexico;(2) Economics Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Apdo. Postal 6-641, Lisboa 27, México, D.F., Mexico |
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Abstract: | Experimental results and farmer surveys from a Mexican community located in the buffer zone of a biosphere reserve indicate
that farmers' seed selection practices protect the phenological integrity of their traditional maize varieties as they define
them, despite numerous factors contributing to genetic instability. Analysis of morphological and genetic data suggests that
when subjected to significant gene flow through cross-pollination, ear characteristics are maintained through farmers' selection
even though other characteristics may continue to evolve. Because the effects of farmers' selection practices are confined
largely to ear characteristics, their practices appear to offer only limited scope for variety improvement. Farmers' expectations
of what they can achieve through seed selection are similarly limited. These findings suggest complementary roles for professional
breeders and Mexican farmers in enhancing mass selection methods to improve maize landraces on farms – if farmers themselves
perceive benefits from the collaboration.
This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | genetic resources in situ conservation landraces mass selection participatory plant breeding Zea mays L |
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