Ganassina Corn is a traditional variety of corn that has been grown in San Colombano al Lambro (MI) since at least the 1930s.
It is a medium to late cycle corn which has cobs that are wrapped in an abundant husk and that are between 24 to 25 centimetres long. They have cylindrical cobs which contain 14 straight and densely packed rows; the cob is white. The kernels are glassy and rather shiny, about 6-7 millimetres large, and have a very intense orange colour. The ends of the cob are rounded, almost flattened, although on the top of the cob there is a small point which is perceivable when touched.
The cultivation of Ganassina Corn takes place in a field which is separated by the rows of a vineyard in order to avoid crossings with other corn.
Furthermore, it is cultivated in rotation with other cereals or vegetables: Traditional ploughing and harvesting methods are often still used. Following the harvest, the kernels are ground up in order to make polenta flour.
This variety of corn was more common in the past among farmers. Many have since decided to abandon production due to the low yields in favour of commercial hybrids which have higher yields. Currently Ganassina Corn is cultivated only by a couple of elderly farmers who keep the seeds.
This corn variety has been the subject of research projects that have been completed by some professors and researchers from the University of Pavia, who have also collected a lot of information on a large number of local Lombard varieties in a publication ("Traditional Lombard agronomic varieties at risk of extinction or genetic erosion Vegetables and cereals: an overview ", G. Rossi, F. Guzzon, M. Canella, E. R. Tazzari, P. Cauzzi, S. Bodino, N. M.G. Ardenghi, Pavia University Press, 2019).
The research activities necessary for the reporting of this product in the Ark of Taste online catalogue were financed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, the General Directorate of the Tertiary Sector and Corporate Social Responsibility – notice n° 1/2018 “Slow Food in action: communities protagonists of change”, pursuant to Article 72 of the Tertiary Sector Code, referred to in Legislative Decree No. 117/2017.
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