Hot buttered popcorn, juicy corn on the cob, sweet and sweet corn muffins, freshly baked; yes, corn or corn, prepared in different ways, is very popular. But did you know that corn has recently been introduced in many countries, while in others it has a very long history?
When Christopher Columbus set sail at the end of the 15th century, corn was unknown in Europe. However, it was subsequently cultivated widely throughout the Americas, from Canada to Chile. Today, almost 500 years later, corn is also produced on a large scale in countries such as China, Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union, South Africa, India and Romania.
Perhaps 3000 years ago, the first producers of corn were the American Indians, Aztecs, Incas, Mayans, and others. They believed that corn was a god or goddess and even believed that they themselves were formed from corn. Each indigenous tribe had its own rituals, dances and ceremonies to honor the god of wheat. When a person died, grain was buried with him, in the belief that it would give him seed.
For those with limited knowledge of corn, it may be surprising to know that there are varieties such as black corn, pink corn, red corn, and white corn, as well as the more famous yellow corn.
Nowadays, new varieties are obtained by artificial hybridization. To get a new seed, cover the ears of corn with bags so that unwanted wind-blown pollen does not fertilize the seed. Pollen is taken from the same plant to fertilize it. In this way, pure strains are obtained. Later, they can be crossed with another pure variant. Sometimes a third cross is done to get the best results from the mother plants. The seeds of these hybrids are very productive. However, the downside is that new seeds must be acquired with each sowing.
We can now take a closer look at the cultivation of corn. The plant itself is diclinical, that is, the stem and pistils (male and female reproductive parts) are in separate flowers. When the plants are crowned with a bouquet of male flowers, golden in color because of the pollen, the corn is said to be in bloom. The wind spreads the pollen and fertilizes the female flowers that grow along the stem of the plant. There are usually two or three of these flowers per plant, supported by broad green leaves that sometimes reach three meters in length.
When the flowers are fertilized, the corn kernels begin to grow on the plunger. Then, before the corn reaches maturity, more roots grow from the protruding ends of the lower roots and spread madly into the soil.
To get a good harvest, when not buying hybrid seeds, you should choose seeds of uniform size and shape of sturdy plants and excellent pistons. This seed should be planted in deep, cool soil rich in humus, nitrogen and moisture. Corn also needs a lot of sunlight. Careful cultivation is necessary because although corn survives in almost any soil, it will not produce abundantly until its growing conditions are more favorable. When the plants are about a third of their height, the corn bed should be cleared and the soil lifted around the base of each plant to provide support and nutrients to the soil. When the skin turns from green to grayish yellow, it is time to harvest the ripe ears. In many places, harvesting the corn is followed by replanting beans or other legumes to replace the nutrients the corn takes from the soil.
Is this culture really worth cultivating? Ensure. Think for a moment about some of the extra products that come from corn: coconut oil, dressing, margarine, syrup, and candy. Some alcoholic drinks are made from fermented corn mash. Grains, pots and leaves are used as food for livestock and other pets. In addition, many non-food products are made from derivatives of corn: soap, cosmetics, glycerin, explosives, drugs, adhesives for stamps and envelopes, gums, shoe soles, sponges, paper, etc.
We have good reason to love this wonderful plant. It provides further evidence that the true God has provided diversity for human needs.
Good one thanks for sharing