Corn: origin, history and application

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Corn is an amazing plant. If in our country it is not used very actively - most often as a rare delicacy, then in many others it has become a symbol of prosperity, salvation from hunger. And this applies not only to poor countries - for example, in many US states it is the same familiar side dish as pasta or buckwheat in our country. And the origin of corn is a very interesting topic that will be useful to reveal. After all, this plant has traveled the world a lot in its long history.

Appearance description

Before talking about the history of the origin of corn, let's briefly describe its appearance.

This is an annual herbaceous plant with tall - sometimes up to four meters - stems. The root system is very powerful. Its development depends on environmental conditions. If there is enough moisture, then the roots are mainly located at a shallow depth. But if the soil is depleted and there is not enough moisture, corn may well deepen the roots by a meter and a half.

The leaves are quite large - long, but narrow. Maximum lengthreaches one meter, while the width rarely exceeds ten centimeters. The number also varies greatly - from 8 to 42.

The fruits are cobs - large, densely wrapped with leaves. On their upper part is the so-called stigma - several soft tangled plant fibers. One cob may consist of a thousand grains, but usually their number is much less. The mass in some cases reaches half a kilogram.

Where did she first appear?

To date, it has been possible to quite accurately determine the homeland of corn. It would be interesting to learn about the origin of culture for many of its fans. So, it is believed that they first learned about it in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It was here that it was cultivated and began not just to be collected, but purposefully grown.

True, the then corn is very different from what we are used to. Still, for many centuries, European breeders have been working to improve the breed so that we can see gorgeous cobs weighing several hundred grams. At the same time, cobs were much more modest - their length rarely exceeded four or five centimeters.

Corn was domesticated about nine thousand years ago! A very serious period - very few plants can boast such an impressive history. Pretty quickly, her grains gained popularity. Corn was grown easily and without much care, while providing the owners with nutritious, satisfying grains.

It is not surprising that it quickly gained popularity not only among the Indian tribes living in Mexico. If aNorth American Indians rarely farmed - only a few tribes out of many dozens took it upon themselves to grow corn themselves, and not collect wild plants - then in South America this crop became one of the most important.

Aztecs, Mayans, Olmecs - these South American Indian tribes were actively engaged in agriculture, sown large areas with a valuable crop that guarantees prosperity and protection from hunger. Corn could not only grow in a climate difficult for other plants - its grains could also be stored for many years without losing their nutritional properties. In conditions where bad weather and crop failures are possible, this guaranteed the survival of ordinary peasants. It is no coincidence that even a separate god, Shilonen, was singled out as the patron of corn. This already shows how seriously the South American Indians took this valuable crop. Of course, various legends and myths were invented, telling about the secrets of the origin of corn.

There were even several varieties that differ in terms of ripening. For example, early, bearing fruit two months after the first shoots appeared, was called the "rooster song". Another variety, ripening in three months, was called "corn-girl". Finally, the latest variety, ripening for six to seven months, was nicknamed "old corn".

Thanks to good productivity and unpretentiousness, the plant has become widespread, settling quite far from its placeorigin. Corn is now grown not only in its homeland, but also in Europe and the post-Soviet space.

How did she get to Europe

Now the reader knows how this valuable culture spread across the two continents of America. It's time to tell briefly about the history of the origin of corn in Europe. More precisely, about the history of its development and cultivation.

By the way, it is worth noting that in South America this habitual culture is called maize. And in many European countries, this name, which is a bit unusual for our compatriots, was adopted. However, we will return to this issue a little later.

For the first time corn (maize) came to Europe in 1496. It was brought by Christopher Columbus himself, who saw an unusual, but obviously very valuable plant and decided to study it more carefully.

Quite quickly, local farmers appreciated the merits of the new crop. Corn began to be actively grown in Spain, Portugal, and France. To the north, it was not particularly widespread - the harsh climate did not allow the corn of that time to ripen. Already much later, thanks to the efforts of breeders, it was possible to develop varieties resistant to low temperatures. Of course, it did not become such a popular crop as wheat and rye in Europe. However, the fact that today it is corn that is the third most popular cereal in the world already says a lot!

Corn in our country

What do people in Russia know about the origin of corn? Many will surely remember the General Secretary of the USSR Khrushchev and his calls to actively grow the "Queen of the Fields" on all collective farmscountries. However, one should not think that it was at this time that culture came to Russia. It happened much earlier. More specifically, in our country they learned about corn at the end of the eighteenth century. At the same time, the name familiar to our ears arose. Let's talk about it in more detail.

Russia, as you know, regularly fought with Turkey and just as regularly won victories. Take at least the eighteenth century - in just one century there were four wars. According to the results of the penultimate of them, which lasted from 1768 to 1774, Russia received Crimea as an indemnity. Turkish peasants actively grew corn here - the climate was favorable. The culture turned out to be very promising and interested many specialists.

Now about the title. In Turkey, maize was called kokoroz - "high plant". Not too familiar to the Slavic ear, this term has been slightly changed - to the well-known "corn". First, this name was fixed in the Balkans - in Serbia, Bulgaria and other countries occupied by Turkey. From here it came to our country.

Culture still has not received wide distribution in Russia. Yes, it is grown in the southern regions and even in the central ones. However, in the north, the climate turned out to be too unpredictable, so these lands remained the domain of more familiar crops - rye, oats, wheat.

And in general, popcorn, which is loved and almost idolized in many countries of the world, has not really taken root in our country. Boiled corn is usually eaten only in season, andcanned food is more often used in salads.

Useful qualities

We figured out the origin of corn. The plant has a lot of useful properties that are worth talking about.

Let's start with the fact that its grains contain a number of important trace elements and vitamins. First of all, these are vitamins C, D, B, K, as well as PP. Of the trace elements, these are nickel, copper, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.

Scientists have proven that a person who regularly consumes corn for food significantly reduces the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. After all, the body receives not only useful trace elements, but also fiber, as well as dietary fiber. Therefore, the rate of metabolic processes in the body increases, which favorably affects the immune system and human he alth in general.

It is also believed that the use of corn by the elderly improves eyesight. However, here you need to be careful in choosing the right variety. Indeed, today various varieties are actively grown, each of which has a certain function and, accordingly, a certain composition. If you want to improve or just preserve your eyesight, it is very important to choose an ear that has delicate yellow grains that have reached a milky-wax ripeness. Overripe, as well as white (usually fodder varieties) do not contain the necessary vitamins, so it will not bring benefits.

Corn oil can also be of considerable benefit. It is extracted from the germ of corn kernels.

Raw oil is used for preventionatherosclerosis, obesity, diabetes and many other serious diseases. Take it little by little - three times a day immediately before meals in the amount of 25 grams per session. Thanks to this, the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood decreases, overall well-being improves, and sleep becomes deeper and more sound.

So it's worth recognizing: this is really a valuable culture, the correct use of which allows you to get rid of many diseases or at least alleviate their course, which is not always possible even when using powerful and expensive drugs.

Possible harm

Now the reader knows more about the origin of corn. Culture, alas, has not only useful properties, but also negative ones, which are very important to know about. Otherwise, you can provoke an exacerbation of some chronic diseases. So corn will only bring harm instead of the expected benefit.

To begin with, the lion's share of corn grown today is genetically modified. Perhaps its regular use in food does not have any unpleasant consequences, but the issue has not been fully studied. It is no coincidence that many scientists are sounding the alarm about this, accusing GMOs of a sharp increase in the number of diseases such as obesity, allergies and others.

But even ordinary corn can cause serious harm to human he alth. For example, it should not be used by people suffering from diseases that affect the duodenum and stomach. Its use leads to bloating, and this negatively affectspatient's he alth.

Also, people who have problems with thrombophlebitis and increased blood clotting should refuse to use it. Substances that make up corn grains may well affect this process, provoking an aggravation.

People suffering from excessively low body weight should also refrain from eating corn. It reduces appetite, which is why it is often used in various diets. But at the same time, corn oil should not be consumed by obese people - after all, it is quite high in calories and can lead to more rapid weight gain.

Finally, a simple allergy to corn and its components is a contraindication.

Use in cooking

Today, this crop is popular all over the world, including very far from the country of origin of corn. No wonder - it is used in various spheres of human life.

Of course, regular eating comes to mind first. Indeed, the plant is quite tasty and, as we have already found out, useful. Many salads include canned corn. And just to eat the cobs with sweet, tender milk grains, few will refuse.

In the US, boiled or baked cobs are often served as a side dish. In many Latin American countries, cornbread and tortillas are still very popular - wheat and rye are not so common there. Besidescorn has become the basis for many national dishes, such as Romanian hominy - corn porridge. Well, corn flakes and sticks have long been a favorite treat for many children.

Other uses

However, not all corn grown is used only for food. Take, for example, the United States: it is this country that grows the most of this crop. No more than 1% of corn goes to food.

About 85% more is used as a feed base in animal husbandry. No wonder - the grains make it possible to perfectly fatten animals and birds, helping them gain weight before slaughter. In addition, stems and leaves are used - the best silage is made from them, which is a good top dressing for farm animals in the cold season. By the way, the lion's share of corn grown in Russia is also used for silage.

And the rest of the corn grown in the US is used for industrial purposes. It is distilled into industrial alcohol, which can be used as a high-quality fuel.

Corn stigmas are used in medicine - they have diuretic and choleretic properties.

And even this is not limited to the scope of corn. For example, in Transcarpathia, exquisite napkins, hats, women's handbags are made from leaves. And in Vietnam, carpets woven from corn by local craftswomen are still popular.

Also, stems are used as building material in poor regions of the Earth. And the ash from the burnt stems is a highly effective fertilizer.

Soit is not surprising that the ancient Indians explained the origin of corn on Earth by the intervention of the gods - it is difficult to find a sphere of human life where this plant would not be involved.

Growing corn

In our country, corn is usually sown in early to mid-May, when the threat of night frosts is completely over. If the goal is to obtain grain, and not silage, then the planting pattern is approximately 60 x 70 or 70 x 70 centimeters. Otherwise, stronger sprouts will crush weak neighbors. The optimal sowing depth is 5-10 centimeters.

Ripening dates vary considerably - primarily depending on the variety. But most varieties are harvested 60-80 days after sowing.

An important advantage is ease of care. In fact, for corn, the main requirement is a sufficient amount of light and heat - it does not tolerate frost well. Which is understandable, given the origin of corn - the birthplace of culture, as already mentioned, is sunny Mexico. But it is very resistant to drought due to a powerful root system that can raise moisture from a depth of a meter or even more. Also, the root system allows you to grow and bear fruit well even on depleted soils. Although, of course, if the cultivation takes place on fresh, nutrient-rich soil, then the yield increases dramatically - all the nutrients will go to the formation of leaves and fruits, and not the development of the root system.

Conclusion

This concludes our article. Now youknow the history of the origin of corn. For children and adults, this can be very interesting. And at the same time we learned about the areas of its application, useful and harmful properties.