Coztli Puma: variedad de maíz de polinización libre precoz de grano amarillo

Abstract

In Mexico, corn (Zea mays L.) is the most important crop due to its sown area (7.4 million ha), its consumption of more than 200 kg person-1 year-1 and its role in the economy. However, Mexico imports 15.5 to 17 million t of yellow corn grain each year, these volumes are mainly destined for the livestock feed industry, as well as other destinations. In the Central Mexican Plateau (2 200 to 2 600 masl), in 1.5 million hectares sown with corn, in more than 50% of that area, the moisture for the crop comes from rainfall, which arrives late, insufficient and irregular, this forces late sowing and the crop to be affected by early frosts, since long-cycle varieties do not reach maturity and yields are low (1.2 t ha-1). In 2021, Kuautli Puma, Mistli UNAM, and Coztli Puma were registered, corn varieties that could support grain production as they present earliness and high productivity in conditions of delayed rainfall, limiting environments, late sowing, and short frost-free period. This variety description describes the phenotypic characteristics and agronomic advantages of the yellow-grain free-pollinated variety named Coztli Puma. This variety yields an average of 7.9 t ha-1 and is an alternative for corn producers in Valles Altos. Coztli Puma was registered in the national catalog of plant varieties (CNVV, for its acronym in Spanish) and holds the breeder’s title: 2849, granted on December 21, 2021.