Year: 1996
Type: article
Abstract: In 1995 cultivar evaluation trials, six cultivars of bicolor supersweet com (sh2) were grown in early-June (Crop 1) and early-July (Crop 2) at Windsor in a sandy terrace soil and at Mt. Carmel in a loamy upland soil.In 1996 germination trials, the same cultivars were grown at both sites in three May plantings using clear plastic mulch and Ree- may row cover to warm the soil.In the cultivar evaluation trials, average yield in Crop 1 at Windsor was 16,700 ears/A compared to 11,845 ears/A at Mt. Carmel.In Crop 2 at Windsor, average yield was 13,830 ears/A.In Crop 1, yield of Confection, highest among all cultivars, was 23,845 ears/A at Windsor and 16,995 ears/A at Mt. Carmel.High yield of Confection was due to high germination rate (72-75%).In Crops 1 and 2 at Windsor, high yield of Summer Sweet 8102 (19,660 and 20,530 ears/A, respectively) was due to high average yield/plant (2.2 ears).In all crops at both sites, Eagle, a late-maturing cultivar, had the longest (7.9 in.) and heaviest (8.4 oz.) ears among all cultivars.Its median number of rows was 16 but 30% of ears had 18 rows.The germination of Eagle (untreated seed), however, was poor.Although the ears of Summer Sweet 8102 at Windsor were slightly smaller than Eagle, they had excellent husk cover and the greatest percent in Grade 1 (72).In Crop 1 at Mt. Carmel, the ears of Top Notch were somewhat longer and heavier than they were at Windsor.At Windsor, however.Grade 1 ears exceeded 75% compared to 22% at Mt. Carmel due to incomplete tip fill.In germination trials, the earliest planting at Windsor, May 14, with clear plastic mulch, increased germination of Confection, Summer Sweet 8102, and Sweet Heart over 20% compared to the untreated controls.Reemay row cover increased germination of Confection and Top Notch over 20% compared to untreated controls.In the May 13 planting at Mt. Carmel, clear plastic mulch mcreased germination of Top Notch and Sky- line 3-17% and Reemay 13-25% at both sites, respectively.In the May 20-21 and May 27-28 plantings, few increases in germination were observed in any cultivar with clear plastic mulch or Reemay row cover.Profound decreases in germination in all cultivars were observed in the May 27-28 planting at both sites in plots covered with clear plastic mulch.Seeds were killed when subjected to temperatures exceeding 125F on sunny days.Management strategies are discussed to maximize yield through cultivar selection and the use of clear plastic mulch and Reemay row cover in early plantings.Although net profits increased by the use of clear plastic mulch and Reemay row covers in all plantings at both sites, except the May 27-28 planting under clear plastic at both sites, neither cover produced a net profit greater than the untreated control.In the May 14 planting at Windsor, both covers on Confection and Summer Sweet 8102 produced a high enough yield, compared to the control, to offset the cost of material and labor if sold at $3.00/dozen ears retail.At $1.50/dozen ears wholesale, net profits were always greater in untreated con- trols compared to either cover.Clear plastic mulch and Reemay row covers increase yield, but the increase did not offset the increased production cost, except at a higher wholesale price.
Author: David E. Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2620822610