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Group Title: Sweet corn variety trial, supersweets
Title: Sweet corn variety trial, supersweets. Spring 1989.
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Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00054231/00007
 Material Information
Title: Sweet corn variety trial, supersweets. Spring 1989.
Series Title: Sweet corn variety trial, supersweets
Physical Description: Serial
Language: English
Creator: Howe, T. K.
Waters, W. E.
Publisher: Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida
Publication Date: 1989
 Record Information
Bibliographic ID: UF00054231
Volume ID: VID00007
Source Institution: University of Florida
Rights Management: All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier: oclc - 62615489

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HISTORIC NOTE


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not reflect current scientific knowledge
or recommendations. These texts
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record of the Institute for Food and
Agricultural Sciences and should be
used only to trace the historic work of
the Institute and its staff. Current IFAS
research may be found on the
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(EDIS)

site maintained by the Florida
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Copyright 2005, Board of Trustees, University
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l00

GCS G;:t!ral Science
'9 -z Library

GULF COAST RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER MAR 1990
IFAS, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
5007 60TH STREET EAST University of Florida
BRADENTON, FLORIDA 34203 ------

Bradenton GCREC Research Report BRA1989-25 September 1989

SWEET CORN VARIETY TRIAL SUPERSWEETS
SPRING 1989

T. K. Howe and W. E. Waters1

A supersweet (shrunken 2 gene) sweet corn trial was conducted at the
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Bradenton, Florida in the
spring of 1989. The merits of supersweet corn cultivars, specifically the
shrunken-2 gene (sh2) type, have been emphasized by an industry shift to
planting, almost exclusively, supersweets over the standard sugary
cultivars in the last few years. Advantages of cultivars with the high
sugar retention gene (shrunken-2) are: the sugar content is higher at
harvest and during post harvest than standard sugary types; the succulence
of the kernel is maintained after harvest; and supersweets "hold the
stalk" longer allowing harvest flexibility. Add to this the preference of
the consumer for the taste of supersweet corn, especially several days
after harvest, and the dramatic shift to supersweets by the grower was
predictable.

Florida is the nation's leader in sweet corn production with the 1987-88
crop valued at $71.55 million (1). The 1987-88 production total of 12.8
million crates was up slightly from the 11.5 million crates produced in
1986-87 (2). Sweet corn ranks fourth in value of vegetables produced in
Florida, exceeded only by tomatoes, green peppers and strawberries (1).
Although west-central Florida is a minor sweet corn production area, there
has been a continuing interest in trials conducted at the GCREC. In 1989,
ten commercial cultivars and eight advanced breeding lines were evaluated
for yield, plant stand, stalk height and ear characteristics.

Materials and Methods

Sweet corn was grown on raised beds (33 in. wide, 8 in. high) of EauGallie
fine sand, irrigated by subsurface, seepage irrigation utilizing lateral
ditches spaced 40.5 ft apart or every six beds. One acre was equivalent
to 8712 linear feet of bed (LFB). Fertilizer included 170 lbs/1000 LBF of
18-0-25-2 (N-P205-K20-MgO) distributed in a single narrow band in a groove
down the center of the bed and an incorporated, full bed-width application
of superphosphate (0-20-0 with 80 Ib/ton F503) at 75 lb/1000 LFB. The
beds were fumigated with Vorlex at 4.0 gal/1000 LFB and were covered with
white polyethylene mulch.


1Biological Administrator I and Center Director, respectively.





2


Seed of eighteen supersweet (shrunken 2 gene) sweet corn cultivars and
advanced breeding lines (Table 1) were hand sown on April 13, 1989. Three
to four seeds per hill were sown and later thinned to one plant per hill.
There were two staggered rows of plants per bed, with 8 inches between
plants within the row and 12 inches between rows, resulting in 56 plants
per 19 ft. plot. Four replications of each cultivar were arranged in a
randomized complete block design.

Corn earworm and armyworm infestations were treated with thiodicarb
according to the label, using a once-a-week spray schedule prior to
silking and twice-a-week spray schedule after silking. Aphids were
treated with endosulfan and mites with diazinon. Disease control was
provided on a preventative basis utilizing mancozeb or chlorothalonil.
Plots were harvested by hand on June 10, 12, 14, 16, 19 and 21, 19E9.
Individual ears were pulled when kernels were plump and at the milky stage
of maturity, so-that plots were picked more than once. Ears were counted,
weighed and graded by USDA Standards for grades of green corn as cull or
marketable. At the first harvest 10 marketable ears per plot were
selected and evaluated for length, diameter, number of rows of kernels and
husk extension. Plant height and plant stand were also tabulated.
Weather information for the season is contained in Table 2.
Results and Discussion

Seasonal marketable yield, based on the number of ears, ranged from 32.2
crates/1000 LFB for 'Even Sweeter' to 53.6 crates/1000 LFB for 'GSS 3617'
and 'HMX 7348s' (Table 3). Nine other entries were similar in yield to
'HMX 7348s' and 'GSS 3617'. Seasonal yield, based on weight, ranged from
10.3 cwt/1000 LFB for 'Even Sweeter' to 17.9 cwt/1000 LFB for 'HMX 7348s'.
Eleven entries were not significantly different from 'HMX 7348s'.

The percentage of culls, which included ears injured by lepidopterous
larvae or small ear size, were judged while in the husk. Cull rates
ranged from 21-52% for 'GSS 3617' and 'Even Sweeter', respectively (Table
3). Ten entries produced less than 30% culls. Plant stands were greater
than 90% for all but 3 entries: 'Crisp & Sweet 711' (89%), 'HMX 8386s'
(85%) and 'Sunset' (78%). Average ear weight, with the husk, was greater
than 11 oz for 'Sunset', 'NS 1217', and 'GSS 3854' (Table 3). Stalk height
was greatest for 'Even Sweeter' at 8 ft; and shortest for 'Sunset', 'XPH
2686', 'HMX 7348s', 'HMX 8386s' and 'Butterfruit', all less than 6.5 ft.

Differences in maturity among the entries are given in Table 4. Earliest
entries, which reached maturity on June 10, were 'HMX 7348s',
'Butterfruit' and 'MSI 3161'. All entries were harvested for the first
time no later than June 16.

Unhusked ear diameter ranged from 1.9 inches for 'GS 3617' to 2.2 inches
for 'Sunset' (Table 5). When husked, ear diameter ranged from 1.7 inches
for 'GS 3617' to 2.0 inches for 'Sunset'. 'GSS 3485' and 'Sweet Belle'
were similar to 'Sunset' in ear diameter. Ear length, untrimmed, ranged
from 6.9 inches for 'GSS 3617' to 7.8 inches for 'Butterfruit'. Useable
ear length (trimmed) ranged from 6.3 inches for 'HMX 7348s', 'Promenator'
and 'Florida Staysweet' to 7.3 inches for 'GSS 3485'. Only 'NS 1217' at
7.1 inches was similar in useable length to 'GSS 3485'. 'Sweet Belle' had








the greatest row number at 18.8 and 'Butterfruit' the least at 12.2. Husk
extension ranged from 0.4 inches for 'HMX 8386s' to 2.0 inches for
'Sunset'. The husk extension of 'Sunset' was significantly longer than any
other entry.

Summary

Several entries had similar high marketable yield during 1989. Once yield
is considered, other characteristics must be evaluated for each variety.
For example, 'GSS 3617' not only produced among the highest yields, but
cull production was low, plant stand good, stalk height was intermediate
and ear weight and dimensions among the lowest. Therefore, high ear
numbers and good plant stand offset the negative impact of ear size.

Only seven entries from this trial were examined last year (7). One
notable difference was that 'Even Sweeter' which performed well in 1988
did very poorly in 1989. It was noted that in 1989 lepidopterous larvae
caused much damage to 'Even Sweeter' and had easy access to the ear tip
due to poor husk extension and a loose fitting husk. 'Butterfruit'
continues to be a reliable performer based on five years of evaluation (3-
7). 'Florida Staysweet' and 'SSupersweet 7210' have done well the last 4
and 2 years, respectively (5-7).

Note: The information contained in this report is a summary of
experimental results, and should not be used as recommendations
for crop production. Where trade names are used, no
discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Literature Cited

1. Anonymous. 1989. Vegetables. Florida Agriculture. Florida
Agricultural Statistics Service, Orlando, FL. January 27, 1989
report.

2. Anonymous. 1988. Vegetable Summary 1986-87. Florida Agricultural
Statistics Service, Orlando, FL. pg 5, 23-24.

3. Howe, T. K. and W. E. Waters. 1984. Sweet corn variety trial-
Supersweets. Spring 1984. Bradenton GCREC Res. Rept. BRA1984-1C.

4. Howe, T. K. and W. E. Waters. 1986. Sweet corn variety trial-
Supersweets. Spring 1985. Bradenton GCREC Res. Rept. BRA1986-9.

5. Howe, T. K. and W. E. Waters. 1987. Sweet corn variety trial-
Supersweets, Spring 1986. Bradenton GCREC Res. Rept. BRA1987-2.

6. Howe, T. K. and W. E. Waters. 1988. Sweet corn variety trial-
Supersweets, Spring 1987. Bradenton GCREC Res. Rept. BRA1988-4.

7. Howe, T. K. and W. E. Waters. 1989. Sweet corn variety trial-
supersweets, Spring 1988. Bradenton GCREC Res. Rept. BRA1989-3.

8. Stanley, C. D. 1988. Temperature and rainfall report for 1987.
Bradenton GCREC Res. Rept. BRA1987-11.







Table 1. Supersweet (sh2) sweet corn entries in trial at GCREC during
spring 1989.


Entry Kernel Color Seed Supplierz

Butterfruit Yellow Park
Crisp & Sweet 711 Yellow Precision Ag
Even Sweeter White Asgrow
Florida Staysweet Yellow Harris Moran
GSS 3485 Yellow Rogers Bros.
--------------------------------"-~~"
GSS 3617 Yellow Rogers Bros.
HMX 7348s Yellow Harris Moran
HMX 8386s Yellow Harris Moran
MSI 3161 Yellow Musser
NS 1217 Yellow Neuman

Promenator Yellow Amsa
SSupersweet 7210Y Yellow Abbott & Cobb
SSupersweet 7620Y Yellow Abbott & Cobb
Sunex 2577 Yellow Sunseeds
Sunset (FMX 77) Yellow Ferry-Morse

Sweet Belle Yellow Asgrow
Sweetie 82 Yellow Sunseeds
XPH 2686 Yellow Asgrow


ZNot necessarily developer.






Table 2. Temperature and rainfall at the GCREC during the spring of 1989z
and the 33-year averages (8).


Average Daily Temperature (OF)
1988 33-yr avg. Rainfall (inches)
Month Max Min Max Min 1988 33-yr avc.

Apr 84 60 82 60 1.38 1.59
May 87 65 87 64 2.44 3.14
Jun 92 72 91 70 9.06 7.75


zTrial seeded April 13, 1989; last harvest June 21, 1989.








Table 3. Yield and performance of supersweet (sh2) sweet corn cultivars
during spring 1989.


and breeding lines


Plant Avg. Stalk
Marketable YieldZ,Y Culls Stand Ear Height
Entry (crates/1000 LFB) (cwt/1000 LFB) (%) (%) Wt (oz) (ft)

GSS 3617 53.6 aY 16.1 a-c 21.0 f 97 a-e 8.9 h 7.3 b-d
HMX 7348s 53.6 a 17.9 a 25.0 ef 99 ab 9.9 c-g 6.4 f
Promenator 48.5 ab 15.9 a-c 28.4 d-f 98 a-c 9.8 d-g 7.0 de
XPH 2686 47.7 a-c 15.6 a-c 27.2 ef 99 a 9.7 e-h 6.4 f
HMX 8386s 47.3 a-c 15.1 a-c 26.4 ef 85 ef 9.5 e-h 6.2 f

Florida Staysweet 46.3 a-d 15.3 a-c 29.6 c-f 98 a-d 9.8 d-g 7.0 de
Butterfruit 46.1 a-d 15.9 a-c 33.7 c-f 97 a-d 10.3 c-e 6.1 f
GSS 3485 45.1 a-d 17.0 ab 24.3 ef 90 c-f 11.2 ab 7.3 b-d
SSupersweet 7210 43.6 a-e 15.6 a-c 27.5 ef 93 b-e 10.6 bc 6.8 e
Crisp & Sweet 711 43.4 a-e 15.0 a-c 26.7 ef 89 d-f 10.2 c-f 7.0 de

SSupersweet 7620 43.1 a-e 13.7 bc 29.9 c-f 91 c-f 9.4 f-h 7.1 c-e
Sweetie 82 41.9 b-f 13.2 cd 41.8 a-c 93 a-e 9.3 gh 7.4 bc
Sunex 2577 41.4 b-f 14.3 a-c 46.9 ab 94 a-e 10.2 c-f 7.4 bc
Sweet Belle 41.4 b-f 14.7 a-c 31.8 c-f 96 a-e 10.6 b-d 7.5 bc
NS 1217 37.3 c-f 14.0 bc 41.1 a-d 93 b-e 11.2 ab 7.6 b

MSI 3161 36.1 d-f 12.7 cd 37.4 b-e 93 b-e 10.5 b-d 7.6 b
Sunset (FMX 77) 34.4 ef 13.8 bc 30.8 c-f 78 f 11.9 a 6.4 f
Even Sweeter 32.2 f 10.3 d 51.7 a 95 a-e 9.5 e-h 8.0 a


ZAcre = 8712 linear feet of bed (LFB); crate = 4
YMean separation by Duncan's multiple range test,


1/2 dozen ear count; cwt = 100 Ibs.
5% level.








Table 4. Percentage marketable yield by harvest date for spring 1989.

Marketable Yield Harvested Ey Date (%)z
Entry 6-10 6-12 6-14 6-16 6-19 6-21

GSS 3617 0 0 64.4 25.9 9.7 0
HMX 7348s 75.9 20.1 4.0 0 0 0
Promenator 0 0 0 83.6 12.3 4.1
XPH 2686 0 81.5 16.0 2.5 0 0
HMX 8386s 0 0 72.8 13.0 14.2 0

Florida Staysweet 0 0 0 86.9 9.8 3.3
Butterfruit 77.2 17.4 5.3 0 0 0
GSS 3485 0 0 79.5 16.6 3.9 0
SSupersweet 7210 0 86.5 12.5 1.0 0 0
Crisp & Sweet 711 0 82.8 15.0 2.2 0 0

SSupersweet 7620 0 0 72.7 20.2 7.1 0
Sweetie 82 0 0 73.5 22.1 4.4 0
Sunex 2577 0 0 86.1 9.9 4.0 0
Sweet Belle 0 0 0 83.2 13.3 3.5
NS 1217 0 0 80.0 16.1 3.9 0

MSI 3161 34.2 43.7 22.1 0 0 0
Sunset (FMX 77) 0 56.7 24.6 18.7 0 C
Even Sweeter 0 0 0 87.5 11.9 <1


ZEach entry harvested three times.








Table 5. Supersweet sweet corn ear characteristics, spring 1989.

Husk
Ear Diameter (in.) Ear Length (in.) Extension Rows
Entry Unhusked Husked Huskedz UsableY (in.) (no.) Comments

GSS 3617 1.9 g 1.7 e 6.9 i 6.7 c-e 1.3 c-e 16.3 b-d Excellent tip fill
HMX 7348s 2.1 b-d 1.8 bc 7.1 hi 6.3 f 1.2 d-f 15.3 e-g Loose husk
Promenator 2.1 cd 1.8 b-d 7.2 gh 6.3 f 1.4 b-d 14.6 g-i
XPH 2686 1.8 e-g 1.8 b-d 7.5 b-e 6.7 c-e 1.6 b 15.6 d-f
HMX 8386s 2.0 e-g 1.7 e 7.4 d-g 6.8 b-d 0.4 i 16.4 b-d
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Staysweet 2.1 bc 1.7 de 7.2 f-h 6.3 f 1.4 b-d 15.6 d-f
Butterfruit 2.1 b-d 1.7 de 7.8 a 6.8 b-d 1.0 gh 12.2 j
GSS 3485 2.1 b-d 1.9 ab 7.7 ab 7.3 a 0.8 h 16.3 b-d Excellent tip fill
SSupersweet 7210 2.1 cd 1.8 bc 7.6 a-d 6.9 bc 1.5 b-d 17.0 b
Crisp & Sweet 711 2.0 d-f 1.8 bc 7.7 a-c 6.9 bc 1.6 b 16.3 b-d
----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------- -----
SSupersweet 7620 2.1 c-e 1.7 de 7.3 e-h 6.5 d-f 1.4 b-d 14.8 f-h
Sweetie 82 2.0 fg 1.8 c-e 7.1 gh 6.4 ef 0.8 h 16.1 c-e
Sunex 2577 2.1 b-d 1.8 b-d 7.4 c-f 6.9 bc 1.1 e-g 13.9 i
Sweet Belle 2.1 bc 1.9 ab 7.6 a-d 6.9 b-d 0.9 gh 18.8 a Poor tip fill
NS 1217 2.2 ab 1.8 bc 7.7 a-c 7.1 ab 1.0 f-h 14.0 hi
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSI 3161 2.1 cd 1.7 e 7.6 a-d 6.7 c-e 1.5 bc 14.1 hi
Sunset (FMX 77) 2.2 a 2.0 a 7.7 a-c 6.8 b-e 2.0 a 16.1 c-e
Even Sweeter 2.0 e-g 1.8 b-d 7.7 ab 6.7 c-e 0.4 i 16.7 bc Husk extension
poor, loose husk


ZUntrimmed ear tip.
YTrimmed ear tip.
XMean separation by Duncan's Multiple Range Test, 5% level.




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