Abstract
Mexico is within the center of origin of Zea mays and has among the highest levels of maize genetic diversity in the world. This diversity is traced to factors at the regional and farm levels. Loss of crop genetic diversity has been related to economic and agricultural development, although opposed views of this exist for the Mexican case. Agricultural development appears to be affecting virtually all types of farms in Mexico. A case study in Chiapas suggests that the adoption of some improved varieties has enhanced genetic diversity in maize, but one improved type competes with landraces in the most favorable land. The adoption of this improved type is associated with greater access to capital and with lower risk.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 307-328 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Human Ecology |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1988 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Mexico
- development
- diversity
- maize
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology
- Anthropology
- Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Sociology and Political Science