– pumpkins, zucchini, acorn squash, others Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) – various cultivars Sunflower seeds – under cultivation in Mexico and Peru for thousands of years, also source of essential oils Tobacco* – a dried leaf used as a trade commodity and peace-making Tomato* – red berry-type fruit of the family Solanaceae Tunas* – fruits of Opuntia species, also called a "prickly pear" Vanilla – orchids grown for their culinary flavor * An asterisk indicates a common English or Spanish word derived from an indigenous word. Farming techniques One of the greatest challenges in Mesoamerica for farmers is the lack of usable land, and the poor condition of the soil. The two main ways to combat poor soil quality, or lack of nutrients in the soil, are to leave fields fallow for a period of time in a milpa cycle, and to use slash-and-burn techniques. Much of the Maya food supply was grown in gardens, known as pet kot. The system takes its name from the low wall of stones (pet meaning circular and kot wall of loose stones) that characteristically surrounds the forest garden plot. The earliest dated maize cobs was discovered in Guilá Naquitz cave in Oaxaca and dates back to 4300 BC. Maize arose through domestication of teosinte, which is considered to be the ancestor of maize. Maize can be stored for lengthy periods of time, it can be ground into flour, and it easily provides surplus for future use. Maize was vital to the survival of the Mesoamerican people. Its cultural significance is reflected in Mesoamerican origin myths, artwork, and rituals. The Mesoamerican natives also used irrigation techniques not unlike other early agricultural societies in early Mesopotamia. However, unlike the arid plains of the Fertile Crescent, the Mesoamerican area has a rougher terrain, therefore making irrigation less effective than terraced farming and slash-and-burn techniques. Slash-and-burn techniques are a type of extensive farming, where the amount of labor is minimal in taking care of farmland. Extensive farming uses less labor but had a larger mark on the area around them. In opposition, intensive agriculture refers to agriculture that involves large amounts of labor, permitting bigger yields from the same land area, thus making it better suited for a sedentary lifestyle. See also Agriculture in Mexico Aztec cuisine Chinampa Guilá Naquitz Cave Maya cuisine Mesoamerican chronology Slash-and-burn Three Sisters (agriculture) Notes References Harrington, S. P. M. 1997. Earliest Agriculture