Production of maize in Brazil has reached 50 million tons in 2009. It produces more maize than any other country in the world, besides USA and China. However despite this monoculture crop, Brazil is still able to maintain the highest biodiversity in the world. Cerrado is the main type of soil in Brazil. It is characterized by low fertility, low pH, low phosphorus, high phosphorus fixation, and toxic levels of aluminum. Basically, researchers need to develop plants that are able to deal with all of these conditions, especially the low phosphorus.
