Corn: Production and Human Health in Changing Climate

Corn or maize (Zea mays L.) plays an important role in global food security. The many uses of corn make it a central commodity and a great influence on prices. Because of its world- wide distribution and relatively lower price, corn has a wider range of uses. It is used directly for human consumption, in industrially processed foods, as livestock feed, and in industrial nonfood products such as starches, acids, and alcohols. Recently, there has been interest in using maize for the production of ethanol as a substitute for petroleum-based fuels. It is an important source of carbohydrate, protein, iron, vitamin B, and minerals. Cli- mate change, however, is a growing concern among corn growers worldwide. Scientists esti- mate that corn production will need to be increased by 15% per unit area between 2017 and 2037. To increase corn yields, advanced and new production technology needs to be developed and distributed among corn growers. The advanced technology to boost corn yields and counteract climate change is important for food security for the growing global population. Nutritionally, maize seeds contain 60-68% starch and 7-15% protein. Maize oil is widely used as a cooking medium and for manufacturing hydrogenated oil. The oil has the quality of reducing cholesterol in the human blood similar sunflower oil. Corn flour is used as a thickening agent in the preparation of many edibles such as soups, sauces, and custard powder. Integrated nutrients management improves corn growth, leaf area index and light interception, dry matter accumulation and distribution, grain and fodder quality, yield components, grain and biomass yields, harvest index, and shelling percentage, and reduces the problem of food insecurity. Recent studies indicate that the integrated use of chemical and organic N-fertilizers can improve corn growth, increase yield and yield components, improve grain quality, and reduce environmental pollution. Macro- and micronutrients rich organic manures (animal manure, poultry manure, and plant residues, etc. in the form of compost, biochar, and residues) can serve as an effective substitute to costly synthetic fertilizers (urea, ammonium sulfate, nitrate, di-ammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, etc.), which not only reduce the cost of production but also environmental pollution, and increases growers' income on a sustainable basis. Integrated nutrients management (combined use of chemical + organic + biofertilizers) in a cereals-based system, especially corn production, is therefore more resilient to climate change.