Conservation of maize germplasm as a result of food traditions in southern California's immigrant gardens

Worldwide crop genetic diversity is at risk as farmers choose migration or embrace modern crop varieties favorable to global demand over continuing to grow traditional landraces. The genetic diversity of maize in Mexico is particularly at risk because of these choices. With the threat of losing important genetic resources, conservation efforts have focused on management both in situ and ex situ within geographical centers of crop genetic diversity. Nonetheless, genetic diversity may exist beyond such recognized centers. In particular, farmers may be salvaging and transporting seeds for cultivation in urban gardens when they migrate transnationally, in effect allowing maize diversity a second chance at survival.;I addressed this issue of maintaining genetic diversity of maize by visiting homegardens and community gardens of transnational immigrants living in Riverside and Los Angeles, CA. I sampled maize growing in these gardens and compared the genetic diversity found to locally available commercial varieties of maize. I also interviewed farmers using a combination of semi-structured interviews and participant observation to determine the farmers' motivations and the methods they used to plant and maintain these maize varieties.;The genetic diversity in the gardens of Southern California was significantly more diverse, genetically, than what was commercially available in Southern California. As well, farmers used several intentional and unintentional mechanisms to maintain maize diversity.;This study highlights the important fact that the maintenance of maize genetic diversity may not be restricted to its recognized centers of diversity and may be supported by migrant farmers in homegardens and community gardens in Southern California.