MAIZE MUSHROOM PRODUCTION: THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMON CORN SMUT AS A CASH CROP

THIS PHASE I SBIR PROJECT WILL INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING INOCULATION TECHNIQUES FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION OF USTILAGO MAYDIS (COMMON CORN SMUT) EAR GALLS AS AN EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME-GENERATING CROP OPPORTUNITY IN RURAL AREAS WHERE THE CULTIVATION OF CORN IS A TRADITIONAL CROP. THE PROPOSED FEASIBILITY STUDY COVERS THREE MAJOR AREAS OF RESEARCH: (1) THE COMPILATION OF EXISTING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH; HISTORY AS A FOOD ITEM IN MEXICO AND LATIN AMERICA, (2) THE INVESTIGATION OF EDUCATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO ASSIST SMALL FARMER AS WELL AS INCREMENTAL COSTS AND ECONOMIES OF SCALE.