Introgression from tripsacum into zea and the origin of maize

Abstract

Morphological and cytogenetical evidence reviewed necessitates an almost complete rejection of the tripartite hypothesis as the mode of origin and evolution of maize under domestication. The progenitor of maize more likely was a teosinte-like grass than a wild pod corn. Teosinte could not have originated as a hybrid derivative from maize-Tripsacum introgression, rather it is conspecific with maize. Tripsacoid characteristics in maize are all teosintoid in origin, either as relic characters of the basic teosinte-like progenitor or through direct introgression with teosinte since domestication © 1972, Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.