Statewide Sweet Corn Trial

Elsa Sánchez (esanchez@psu.edu), Tom Butzler (tmb124@psu.edu), Tim Elkner (tee2@psu.edu), Lee Stivers (ljs32@psu.edu), Steve Bogash (smb13@psu.edu), Bob Pollock (rcp3@psu.edu) and Bill Lamont (wlamont@psu.edu), Penn State Extension

This year, with funding from the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, we are starting a 2-year study to evaluate synergistic sweet corn cultivars across Pennsylvania. Synergistic (along with se) cultivars are generally thought to have the best flavor, texture and aroma; have a high sugar content; and do not require isolation. Conversations with seed company representatives indicate that the seed industry is moving toward more synergistic cultivars.

The 18 bicolor cultivars and 7 white cultivars below are being evaluated in the trial. This list was developed by talking with growers and seed company representatives and studying the newer offerings in seed catalogs.

The trial was planted in in southeastern Pennsylvania on May 21 at the Penn State research farm in Landisville. Plants are at the third leaf stage. In western Pennsylvania at Yarnick’s Farm in Indiana and central Pennsylvania at the Penn State research farm in Rock Springs, we are waiting for a the fields to dry out so that seeding can take place; hopefully this week.

For the study, rows will be spaced 30 inches apart with plants spaced 10 inches apart in each row. Irrigation will be used as necessary. Pests (weeds and insects) will be managed following recommendations in the 2012 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendation guide (http://extension.psu.edu/vegetable-fruit/production-guides/2011-comercial-vegetable-guide). We will be collecting/recording date of emergence; seedling vigor; plant height at tasseling; diseases; ease of harvest; husk color; unhusked ear appearance; husked ear appearance; kernel color; eating quality; date silks 50%; date harvested; total number of good ears; average ear length; average ear diameter; abnormalities; tip fill; usual number of rows; plant height to ear base; tip fill and; marketable and unmarketable weight.

Please let us know if you have any comments on the cultivars included in the study or want to see any additional data collected. We’ll provide updates as the season progresses.