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Farmers' Seed Selection Practices and Maize Variety Characteristics in a Traditionally-Based Mexican Community

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  • Louette, Dominique
  • Smale, Melinda

Abstract

Experimental results and farmer surveys in a Mexican community indicate that farmers' seed selection practices protect the phenological integrity of their maize varieties as they define them, despite numerous factors contributing to genetic instability. Analysis of morphological and genetic data suggests that when subjected to significant gene flow through cross-pollination, ear characteristics are maintained through farmers' selection even though other characteristics may continue to evolve genetically. Because the effects of farmers' selection practices are confined largely to ear characteristics and plant characteristics that are linked to them, their practices appear to offer only limited scope for improving varieties. Farmers' expectations of what they can achieve through seed selection are similarly modest. These findings indicate potentially complementary roles for professional breeders and Mexican farmers in developing methods to improve maize landraces on farms - if farmers themselves perceive benefits from the collaboration.

Suggested Citation

  • Louette, Dominique & Smale, Melinda, 1998. "Farmers' Seed Selection Practices and Maize Variety Characteristics in a Traditionally-Based Mexican Community," Economics Working Papers 7667, CIMMYT: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:cimmew:7667
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.7667
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    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/7667/files/66187.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bellon, Mauricio R. & Risopoulos, Jean, 2001. "Small-Scale Farmers Expand the Benefits of Improved Maize Germplasm: A Case Study from Chiapas, Mexico," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 799-811, May.
    2. Smale, Melinda & Aguirre, Alfonso & Bellon, Mauricio R. & Mendoza, Jorge & Rosas, Irma Manuel, 1999. "Farmer Management of Maize Diversity in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico: CIMMYT/INIFAP 1998 Baseline Socioeconomic Survey," Economics Working Papers 7689, CIMMYT: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
    3. Morris, Michael L. & Risopoulos, Jean & Beck, David, 1999. "Genetic Change in Farmer-Recycled Maize Seed: A Review of the Evidence," Economics Working Papers 7683, CIMMYT: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
    4. Bellon, Mauricio R. & Smale, Melinda & Aguirre, Alfonso & Taba, Suketoshi & Aragon, Flavio & Diaz, Jaime & Castro, Humberto, 2000. "Identifying Appropriate Germplasm For Participatory Breeding: An Example From The Central Valleys Of Oaxaca, Mexico," Economics Working Papers 46524, CIMMYT: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
    5. Nagarajan, Latha & Smale, Melinda, 2005. "Local seed systems and village-level determinants of millet crop diversity in marginal environments of India:," EPTD discussion papers 135, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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