Cultivation

White maize is a type of maize of which the grains do not contain any carotenoidsin their endosperm. White maize makes up about twelve per cent of global maize acreage, 90 per cent of which are located in Africa and South and Central America. In Europe, white maize is also grown on a small scale in Portugal, Italy and France.

Application

White maize is ground to produce maize flour, which is then commonly used for maize products such as tacos or tortillas.

Biotechnology: Aims in research and development

Aims of research and development are similar for white and yellow maize. The same transgenic events are used for both. See maize for further information.

So far, only white maize from conventional lines has been used in food production in the US. Since 2008, transgenic varieties have been grown on a small, but rising, scale in states such as Texas and Nebraska.

White maize is also grown in South Africa and about a half of the crop (1.04 million ha) is genetically modified.