Close-up view of yellow corn kernels, showcasing the texture and pattern of individual kernels on a corn cob. This image highlights the agricultural importance of corn as a staple crop, widely used in food production, animal feed, and various industries.
Photograph by David Coleman. Corn kernels, also known as maize, are the edible seeds that grow in rows along the corn cob. This close-up view provides a detailed look at one of the world's most important cereal crops. Corn, scientifically known as Zea mays, is a member of the grass family and is believed to have been domesticated in central Mexico around 10,000 years ago. Each kernel of corn is a seed containing the embryo and endosperm, protected by a tough outer layer called the pericarp. The typical ear of corn has about 800 kernels arranged in 16 rows, although this can vary depending on the variety. The kernels are usually yellow or white, but can also come in red, purple, blue, and other colors in specialty varieties. Corn is incredibly versatile and is used in a wide array of applications beyond direct consumption. It's a primary ingredient in animal feed, particularly for livestock like cattle, pigs, and poultry. In industrial applications, corn is used to produce ethanol, a biofuel, as well as various food additives like corn syrup, corn starch, and corn oil. The food industry uses corn in countless products, from breakfast cereals and snack foods to soft drinks and confectionery. Nutritionally, corn kernels are rich in carbohydrates and provide dietary fiber, vitamins (particularly B vitamins), and minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus. Sweet corn, the variety most commonly eaten as a vegetable, is harvested while the kernels are still soft and milky. Field corn, which makes up the majority of corn crops, is allowed to mature and dry on the stalk before harvesting. Corn is a significant global crop, with the United States being the world's largest producer and exporter. Its cultivation spans diverse climates and regions, from the Corn Belt of the Midwestern United States to areas in China, Brazil, and across Africa. The crop's adaptability and high yield potential have made it a crucial component of global food security and agricultural economics.
Size: 4476px × 6706px
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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