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A Rapid and Efficient Method for Assessing Pathogenicity of Ustilago maydis on Maize and Teosinte Lines
Published on: January 3, 2014
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Ecogeography of teosinte
José de Jesús Sánchez González1, José Ariel Ruiz Corral2, Guillermo Medina García3
1Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.
Plos One
|February 17, 2018
Summary
Teosinte, wild relatives of maize, possess valuable traits for crop adaptation. This study maps their distribution and identifies areas needing conservation efforts for these important genetic resources.
Area of Science:
- Botany
- Agronomy
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Crop adaptation to climate change necessitates exploring novel traits from wild relatives.
- Teosintes, wild maize relatives, are a crucial source of genetic diversity for maize breeding.
- Understanding teosinte ecogeography is vital for conservation and utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the ecogeographic distribution of teosinte across Mexico and Central America.
- To characterize the environmental conditions of teosinte habitats.
- To identify priority areas for teosinte conservation and further exploration.
Main Methods:
- Compiled a database of 2363 teosinte occurrences (1842-2016).
- Utilized a geographical information system with 216 environmental variables.
- Modeled teosinte geographic distribution and analyzed overlapping ranges.
Main Results:
- Teosinte naturally distributes from Chihuahua, Mexico, to Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
- Most teosinte populations (88.8%) are outside Protected Natural Areas.
- Teosintes exhibit resilience to extreme precipitation and temperatures.
- Modeled distribution aligns with actual occurrences, but potential areas remain undiscovered.
Conclusions:
- Targeted field surveys are needed to find undocumented teosinte populations.
- Specific teosinte taxa require high priority for conservation efforts.
- In-situ conservation involving local communities is essential for long-term teosinte preservation.
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