Charles A. Mullins

Most cultivars in the trial performed well. High stands were produced by all cultivars, and especially for ‘Lumina’. ‘Lumina’ ears were relatively long, and ‘Bonus’ ears were relatively short. ‘Lumina’ and ‘WHT 2801' were among the most productive cultivars in the trial.

Processing sweet corn is a major vegetable crop in the midwestern United States. Interest has developed in growing processing corn further south to fit an early time frame before midwestern areas start production. A large commercial freezing company has been producing processing sweet corn in west Tennessee in recent years and their production has expanded to approximately 1000 acres per year. Earliness is a desired characteristic of cultivars grown in Tennessee, but early maturing cultivars are usually less productive and have smaller plants and ears than late maturing cultivars. Processing sweet corn cultivar and related trials have been conducted for several years by University of Tennessee researchers. An experiment was conducted at the Plateau Experiment Station at Crossville, TN in 2000 to evaluate performance of 9 processing type sweet corn cultivars.

The site was prepared for planting using conventional tillage in late April. Fertilizer was broadcast at 600 lb/A of 15-15-15 before final disking on May 3. Plot size was one row, 20 ft long, and rows were spaced 30 inches apart. Seed of white and yellow cultivars, obtained from commercial seedsmen, was planted on May 4 at the rate of 70 seed per row using mechanical cone-type planters. Experimental plot design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Herbicides applied on May 5 were atrazine (Aatrex) at 1.0 lb ai/A and metolachlor (Dual II) at 2.0 lb ai/A. Plants were thinned to 27 per row on June 30. Seven insecticide applications were applied between June 26 and July 21. Insecticides used in the planting in alternating applications were esfenvalerate (Asana) at 0.05 lb ai/A and lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior T) at 0.025 lb ai/A. Harvest of all cultivars was on July 24.

Records taken at harvest on plant characteristics were plants per row, plant height, plant diameter, ear height above ground, yield in number and weight, and average ear weight. Records taken on ears were ear length, ear diameter, yield of cut corn, % dry weight, yield of cut corn adjusted to 73% moisture, and % ear fill. All data were analyzed by analysis of variance procedures, and cultivar means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range tests at the 0.05 level of probability.

‘Lumina‘ was among cultivars that had a relatively high plant population (Table 1). Several cultivars had a higher population than the desired 23,500 plants that was a goal for the trial. Some of the rows were evidently missed in thinning which accounts for the higher population for some cultivars. Plants of ‘GH 2547' and ‘GH 2783' were taller than plants of all cultivars except ‘Lumina’. ‘Dynamo’ was among cultivars with a relatively short plant. Plants of ‘GH 2547' had a larger diameter than plants of ‘Lexus’. The ears were set higher on plants of ‘GH 2547' and ‘GH 2783' than on plants of ‘Lexus’. ‘WHT 2801' was among the most productive cultivars and produced significantly higher yields in number than ‘GH 2547', ‘GH 2783', ‘Dynamo’, ‘Legacy’, and ‘Lexus’. ‘Lumina’ produced a higher yield in tons/A than ‘Dynamo’, ‘Legacy’, and ‘Lexus’. Ears of ‘GH 2547' were heavier than ears of ‘Bonus’, ‘Dynamo’, and ‘Legacy’.

‘Lumina’ had longer ears than ‘Bonus’, ‘GH 2547', and ‘WHT 2801' (Table 2). Ear diameter was not significantly different due to cultivar. Yield of grain cut from the ears was higher for ‘Lumina’ than for ‘Bonus’, ‘Dynamo’, and ‘Legacy’. A 0.22 lb sample of the cut corn was over dried at 69 degrees C for 48 hours. ‘Lumina’ and ‘WHT 2801' had a higher percentage moisture than ‘GH 2547', ‘Dynamo’, and ‘Legacy’. ‘WHT 2801' and ‘Lumina’ produced a higher yield than ’Bonus’, ‘Dynamo’, and ‘Legacy’ after adjustments were made to 73% moisture for all cultivars. ‘Dynamo’ had less ear fill than most other cultivars.

The cultivars produced very high yields. Moisture was adequate, but not excessive during the growing season. Desirable stands were produced by all cultivars. Earworm control was excellent and most cultivars performed well in the trial. ‘Lumina’ and WHT ‘2801' performed exceptionally well in the trial.

Table 1. Plant characteristics and yield of processing sweet corn cultivars evaluated at The University of Tennessee Plateau Experiment Station at Crossville, 2000.