Hold Your Breath: The Longest Maize Ears in the World

How long is the biggest maize ear in the world and where is it found? It is as long as a man’s forearm and it is found in Jala, Mexico. A maize festival ensures the existence of this traditional variety of maize, and the variety’s value in local culture and dishes keep farmers growing it. Now researchers work to restore and improve its potential.

Jala is overlooked by the active volcano Ceboruco, whose mineral-rich ash is believed by locals to make the giant Jala maize grow so well—indeed, it does not reach its full size when grown outside the valley. The Jala maize is a landrace—a traditional variety specific to a particular place that has been grown by farmers over generations. Unfortunately, improved varieties of maize are supplanting the Jala landrace. They are shorter, which makes them easier to manage and less prone to falling over in high winds, and yield much more.

To save the Jala variety J. Arahón Hernández Guzmán, research professor at the Colegio de Postgraduados, a Mexican agricultural institution, is growing landrace seed from 22 farmers in a plot in the valley to recombine genetic variations. He also aims to develop varieties with added value; for example, dual-purpose maize providing good grain and husk yields, as well as specialized varieties for green ears or pozole. The International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is tasked to hold Jala maize seed in trust, not just as a genetic resource for the world, but also for the people of Jala.

Readers can access the article at http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/news/2007/aug/Jala.htm.