![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Abstract
The early history of maize (Zea mays L.) in New Zealand is reviewed and we concluded that maize was probably first introduced in 1772. By 1819 the crop was definitely being grown by Maori agriculturalists and it has almost certainly been grown continuously since that time. To elucidate the genetic origins of New Zealand maize, 5 open-pollinated varieties for which viable seed was still available were grown and described. These varieties were Marigold, Motiti, a Maori selection, a Maori sweetcorn, and Horsetooth. Marigold was similar to the Cateto flints from eastern South America or the Mediterranean region; the Maori sweetcorn was similar to the Black Mexican sweetcorns of New York State, USA; and Horsetooth was similar to the Hickory King complex from southern USA. Motiti and the Maori selection probably originated in New Zealand by cross-pollination between undetermined dent and flint varieties. We concluded that several distinct races of maize have been introduced into New Zealand and unique varieties have developed by crosspollination.