Final answer:
The major effect of maize's introduction to the Andean region was its use in fermenting drinks and popcorn rather than being a dietary staple, unlike its profound agricultural and societal impact in Mesoamerica and the American Southwest.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Effect of Maize Introduction to the Andean Region
The introduction of maize to the Andean region was a significant agricultural event. Unlike in Mesoamerica, where maize became a staple crop and essential part of the diet, its impact in the Andes was less pronounced as a food source. In the Andean region, maize was often used to make fermented alcoholic beverages and popcorn, but it did not become as central to the diet like in Mesoamerica due to pre-existing dietary staples such as potatoes and manioc adapted to the diverse climates of the Andes.
However, the introduction of maize still had notable effects. It contributed to cultural and economic practices and possibly complemented existing agricultural practices, although it never supplanted the high-yield crops that were already well adapted to the varied Andean environments. Throughout the American Southwest and Mesoamerica, maize enabled the growth of sedentary agricultural communities, fostering social hierarchies and specialization of labor. Despite its lesser dietary importance, the arrival of maize might have similarly influenced the Andean social structures and agricultural techniques.