Maize Seed Bank
by Peter Menzel/science Photo Library
Title
Maize Seed Bank
Artist
Peter Menzel/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Seed bank. Maize (Zea mays) seed bank at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in Mexico City. The CIMMYT is collecting seeds from every native strain of maize in Mexico, as genetic insurance against the homogenisation of commercial maize varieties. As pests adapt to attack the commercial strains most widely used, pest resistance traits from the native strains can be bred into the commercial strains to protect them. Without this insurance the world could face a major food shortage in the future. Maize is the world's most important crop, and is a staple for hundreds of millions in the Americas, Africa and Europe.
Uploaded
February 23rd, 2021
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