Yellow corn (Zea mays L.) is a domesticated crop that forms the core of many food production systems in North, South, and Central America. It has been a staple crop of many farming societies since its domestication more than 6,000 years ago. Yellow corn is an annual cereal grass with a single ear that can range in size from two to three inches in diameter, generating crests and furrows. The plant is an important subsistence and commercial crop due to its high nutritional value and resistance to environmental stressors. In particular, yellow corn is rich in protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins, providing essential nutrition to humans, animals, and other organisms. Furthermore, it facilitates the production of a range of products, including flour, oil, and ethanol. These agricultural intensification systems foster greater efficiency, yield, and bio-diversity.

See also: corn cob, indigenous people, global south, global change