The Ancient Varieties of Mountain Maize: The Inheritance of the Pointed Character and Its Effect on the Natural Drying Process

The introduction of mechanized agricultural practices after the Second World War and use productive hybrids led to a gradual disappearance local maize varieties. However, 13 landraces are still cultivated in North-Western Italy, Lombardy region; those that mountainous areas (roughly up 1200 m altitude) often characterized by pointed shape their seeds (i.e., “Nero Spinoso”, “Rostrato Rosso di Rovetta”, “Spinato Gandino” “Scagliolo Carenno”) presence pigments Rovetta”). is an ancient characteristic maize-ancestors, which negatively affects yield not allowing optimal “filling” ear. This study reports work on four different Italian varieties order assess genetic bases “pointed character” try explain reasons for this adaptation mountain environment. data obtained analysis, seed air-drying modeling thermographic camera observations demonstrated trait” controlled same genes across studied suggested peculiar has been selected because it promotes faster drying seed, with implementing effect.