Investigations show that Indians in the Americas were growing corn long before the discovery of these continents by Europeans. Archaeological studies show that corn was cultivated in the Americas at least 5600 years ago. Although the exact origin of corn is unknown, since the plant is found only under cultivation, some say that corn comes from ‘El Valle San Juan de Tehuacán’ in Central Mexico. Archaeologists have found remains of corn plants, and paintings in the pyramids of the Aztec Civilization. They also say that the corn was probably one important source of food for the Aztecs.
Early in 1500 BCE, corn began to spread really fast. It was introduced to new cultures, and new uses were developed. Also, new varieties were chosen and selected for a better quality of food. Corn was the principal food, or the only food, of most the pre-Columbian North American, Mesoamerican, South American, and Caribbean cultures. Later, the corn was being used and shortly grown in Europe. With the pass of time, Europe began to grow more corn because of the great impact it made on its development. Corn was also used in World War 1, as one of the principal resources.
The corn was a good thing that happened to Europe, but it had its disadvantages too. For example, the corn brought several diseases such as the corn smut or the grey leaf spot. It also brought insect pests such as the corn earworm, the corn silkfly and the European corn borer. This led to crop major losses.
Nowadays, corn grain is made into fabrics and plastics. Corn is also used to make syrup and grain alcohol. It is used in Mexico and South American countries as an important ingredient for traditional dishes. It is also used as a biomass fuel.
Most varieties of corn require 100 to 140 days from seeding to full ripeness of the kernels. Some kinds of corn require only 80 days. The majority of the corn grown in Eastern Europe is in the Balkan countries of Romania, Hungary, and Yugoslavia, where the most severe weather occurs.
The temperatures across Eastern Europe, moderated in July, the drought continued in the south and the heat returned to the Balkans in August. Corn grew faster than expected because of the excessive heat.
In conclusion, the corn was one of the main resources which helped to increase the population, mostly in Europe. This helped the whole development and growth of the countries there. Corn also made agriculture easier, and so did the potato, because they are much easier to grow than other crops. Despite all the joy corn brought, diseases and pests were also involved. The corn brought several pests which generated crops losses, and this wasn’t good because farmers had to grow everything again, and so it took longer for their crops to grow.
Corn made a great impact on European development, helping the entire world’s development as well.
