The Argentine Red Flints
Nov 27, 2017 16:25:20 GMT -5
keen101 (Biolumo / Andrew B.), philagardener, and 3 more like this
Post by frmaiz on Nov 27, 2017 16:25:20 GMT -5
Thank you walt, richardw and philagardener for the welcome.
During most part of the XX century Argentina grew mostly a type of corn known in te international markets as Maíz Plata. The characteristics of this maize were smooth kernels with no crown depression, mostly hard or flint endosperm, colorless pericarp and colorless aleurone. Endosperm was orange with some variation to red and yellow. The orange red kernels were highly appreciated. The Maíz Plata was highly appreciated due to mainly three factors: much lower kernel damage and losses due to transportation movements (elevators, augers, etc.), higher protein and oil than dent corn and much better tolerance to mycotoxins. All this factors combined created a high demand and in times of crop shortage price above the US corn went to 15-20%. In 1990 the government changed the standards and the commercial categories flint and dent were unified. A steady decline in the flint corns started and today is a marginal crop with with very little breeding behind it. The higher yields of modern dents in the 90's and later the introduction of GMO hybrids by Monsanto, Syngenta et al. have created a situation where 95% or more of the seed planted in the traditional corn belt area is GMO and dent.
Origin of the Argentine Red Flints
Maize research has been very poor and also affected by political reasons. Also, there was very little coordination between different institutions and personnel.
In the first half of the XX century wheat was the main crop and little research was done in maize.
What we know as Maíz Plata or Argentine Red Flints is an introduction and mixture of two types of corn.
At the time of the Spanish conquest in this part of the world, around 1550, the flat area known as Pampas was sparsely populated, mainly around the rivers, and the little maize planted was floury and yellow. I am talking of the area that later became the corn and wheat growing area, roughly between 31º and 38º South and 58º and 64º West. Climate is temperate, no snow in winter, and depending where between 30-60 days when temperature drops below freezing a few hours. Rainfall varies whitin the area, 27''- 40'', with two peaks, one in Spring and the other in Fall. (this was before the climatic change!)
My theory, and after so many years you start seeing the different pieces of the puzzle fall in place, is that the Argentine Red Flints are mixture basically of Cateto Sulino, a subtropical race from southern Brazil and Uruguay and Italian Red Flints brought by the immigrants from Piamonte region. This italian varieties were early to very early, had long ears and small round kernels like gun pellets. Cateto Sulino (from the South) was a late variety, with tight husks, prolific to some extent, and ears high on the stem. Kernels were very hard, small and with a triangular shape.
I don't know the history of the Italian Red Flints. But in the very first Columbus trip maize was introduced in Europe (1493) and the introduction continued during many years, of different races. I suspect that the red flints arose in Europe from crossing white and yellow races; I haven't read about red flints in USA.
It is mentioned somewhere that these flints were from the Danube Valley and the Ottoman Empire probably had an important influence in the diffusion of maize.
In Italy maize was known as "Granoturco" translated as Turkish grain.
Maíz Amargo
Since many of you enjoy crossing varieties and races, Maíz Amargo was a variety identified in the 30's in the Entre Ríos Province, that was naturally resistant to locust ( probably more tolerante than other varieties). Around early 60's a sample was given to Pioneer Hi Bred by a local breeder; I don't know if it was an inbred or the o.p. variety. Pioneer used it intensively and at some point it was in most of their hybrids according to one of their Annual Reports, I believe in the 90's.
The variety became extinct but Pioneer donated an inbred developed from it to Iowa. This inbred is B96 and I got it many years ago from them; it should be free and available to everybody.
It was a late inbred, with tripsacoid characteristics, pale yellow kernels and quite flinty, if I remember correctly. Difficult to maintain, I didn't keep it in the program.
I understand that Maíz Amargo (bitter maize) gave tolerance to the European Corn Borer and probably other insects too.
During most part of the XX century Argentina grew mostly a type of corn known in te international markets as Maíz Plata. The characteristics of this maize were smooth kernels with no crown depression, mostly hard or flint endosperm, colorless pericarp and colorless aleurone. Endosperm was orange with some variation to red and yellow. The orange red kernels were highly appreciated. The Maíz Plata was highly appreciated due to mainly three factors: much lower kernel damage and losses due to transportation movements (elevators, augers, etc.), higher protein and oil than dent corn and much better tolerance to mycotoxins. All this factors combined created a high demand and in times of crop shortage price above the US corn went to 15-20%. In 1990 the government changed the standards and the commercial categories flint and dent were unified. A steady decline in the flint corns started and today is a marginal crop with with very little breeding behind it. The higher yields of modern dents in the 90's and later the introduction of GMO hybrids by Monsanto, Syngenta et al. have created a situation where 95% or more of the seed planted in the traditional corn belt area is GMO and dent.
Origin of the Argentine Red Flints
Maize research has been very poor and also affected by political reasons. Also, there was very little coordination between different institutions and personnel.
In the first half of the XX century wheat was the main crop and little research was done in maize.
What we know as Maíz Plata or Argentine Red Flints is an introduction and mixture of two types of corn.
At the time of the Spanish conquest in this part of the world, around 1550, the flat area known as Pampas was sparsely populated, mainly around the rivers, and the little maize planted was floury and yellow. I am talking of the area that later became the corn and wheat growing area, roughly between 31º and 38º South and 58º and 64º West. Climate is temperate, no snow in winter, and depending where between 30-60 days when temperature drops below freezing a few hours. Rainfall varies whitin the area, 27''- 40'', with two peaks, one in Spring and the other in Fall. (this was before the climatic change!)
My theory, and after so many years you start seeing the different pieces of the puzzle fall in place, is that the Argentine Red Flints are mixture basically of Cateto Sulino, a subtropical race from southern Brazil and Uruguay and Italian Red Flints brought by the immigrants from Piamonte region. This italian varieties were early to very early, had long ears and small round kernels like gun pellets. Cateto Sulino (from the South) was a late variety, with tight husks, prolific to some extent, and ears high on the stem. Kernels were very hard, small and with a triangular shape.
I don't know the history of the Italian Red Flints. But in the very first Columbus trip maize was introduced in Europe (1493) and the introduction continued during many years, of different races. I suspect that the red flints arose in Europe from crossing white and yellow races; I haven't read about red flints in USA.
It is mentioned somewhere that these flints were from the Danube Valley and the Ottoman Empire probably had an important influence in the diffusion of maize.
In Italy maize was known as "Granoturco" translated as Turkish grain.
Maíz Amargo
Since many of you enjoy crossing varieties and races, Maíz Amargo was a variety identified in the 30's in the Entre Ríos Province, that was naturally resistant to locust ( probably more tolerante than other varieties). Around early 60's a sample was given to Pioneer Hi Bred by a local breeder; I don't know if it was an inbred or the o.p. variety. Pioneer used it intensively and at some point it was in most of their hybrids according to one of their Annual Reports, I believe in the 90's.
The variety became extinct but Pioneer donated an inbred developed from it to Iowa. This inbred is B96 and I got it many years ago from them; it should be free and available to everybody.
It was a late inbred, with tripsacoid characteristics, pale yellow kernels and quite flinty, if I remember correctly. Difficult to maintain, I didn't keep it in the program.
I understand that Maíz Amargo (bitter maize) gave tolerance to the European Corn Borer and probably other insects too.