Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov (1887–1943) and the definition of the center of origin of corn (Zea mays L.): implications for current Reciprocal Recurrent Selection (RRS)

Resumo

Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov (1887-1943) developed the theory of centers of origin and diversity, identifying eight primary hotspots like the south Mexican/Mesoamerican center for maize (Zea mays L.), where maximum genetic variability arises from environmental heterogeneity and human coevolution. Reciprocal Recurrent Selection (RRS), formalized by Comstock et al. (1949), improves divergent heterotic groups (A/B) via hybrid evaluation cycles. This article integrates Vavilov's spatiotemporal concepts with maize domestication, variability structure, RRS applications, and conservation strategies to reconcile breeding efficiency with biodiversity preservation in origin centers. The review was based on a narrative and comparative analysis of classical and contemporary literature retrieved from indexed scientific databases and institutional sources, including Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, Google Scholar, and relevant technical portals. The selected publications were used to synthesize Vavilov’s concepts of centers of origin and diversity, maize domestication, and their implications for the early stages of Reciprocal Recurrent Selection (RRS). Mesoamerican center exemplifies Vavilov's model, providing teosinte-derived landraces (Tuxpeño, Cónico) for RRS heterotic groups, yielding 1-3.5% per-cycle gains via additive/dominance effects. In addition, the best intervarietal and intravarietal crosses involving adapted Tuxpeño and local Chalqueño germplasm yielded competitively with commercial checks, suggesting the presence of heterosis and the breeding value of adapted exotic maize. Vavilov’s principles are most relevant in the initial phase of RRS, particularly for defining base populations and generating interpopulation progenies, because centers of origin and diversity help identify contrasting genotypes with adaptive complementarity, thereby strengthening the foundation of recurrent improvement.