Sweet Corn Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University	Click photo to enlarge in new window.
VARIETIES TYPES: Standard: Yellow= Merit, Jubilee White= Silver Queen Se(sugar enhanced): Yellow= Summer Sweet 7800, Guadalupe Gold, Kandy Korn, Calico Belle White= Snowbelle Bicolor= Sweet G-90, Tempetation Sh2(shrunken gene): Yellow= Florida Staysweet, Challenger, Summersweet 7210, Summersweet, 7710, Sweetie 82 White= Fronteir, Summersweet 7211, Even Sweeter Bicolor= Summersweet 8102, Dazzle Se X Sh2: Sweet Ice, Sweet Symphony, Sweet Rhythm
SOIL PREFERENCE Deep, well drained, medium textured soil (pH 6 - 7), high in organic matter with good water holding capacity.
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS Hot days and warm nights (monthly mean temperature of 68 - 72 oF ). Short-day plant, tassel development hastened by days < than 12 - 14 hours. No significant growth < than 50 oF; intolerant of frost.
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS Direct seeded (keep Se types isolated form Sh2 types and Sh2 types for all other types). Optimum time= Soil seed zone is temperature > 65oF, no germination < 50oF. Approx seed/oz= 120 -180 Seeding rate= 8 - 15 lbs/A Seeding depth= 1 - 2" Seedling spacing= 8 - 12 " in-row on 30 - 40 " raised beds
FERTILITY / FERTILIZATION Rates presented as actual lbs/Acre N2, P205 and K20 (base application rates on soil analysis). Generalized Rate lbs/A: 100 - 80 - 80 N- 80 - 100 banded 2 -3 " deep and to the sideofthe seed row at planting + 25 - 30 side-dressed at tassel initiation. P- 70 - 120 banded 2-4 " below seed at planting K- 36 - 100 banded with N if needed(mainly in East Texas)
WATER/IRRIGATION 20 "(early maturing varieties); 35 "(late maturing varieties)/season; critical needs= stand establishment, tassel elongation and ear enlargement. Very shallow water absorbing roots system(12 - 18 " deep)
PEST MANAGEMENT MAJOR DISEASES CONTROL Corn leaf blights and Rust Bravo, mancozeb, maneb, Quadris, Tilt Smut Resistant varieties Bacterial wilt Resistant varieties Virus Resistant varieties, rotation, control Johnsongrass around field Nematode Counter, Furadan, K-Pam, Mocap, Telone II, Telone C-17 MAJOR INSECTS CONTROL Seed-corn maggot and wireworm Counter, diazinon, Force, Fortress, Furadan, Lorsban Southern corn rootworm Rotation but avoid planting after cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkin and squash; Aztec, Capture, Counter, Force, Fortress, Lorsban Corn earworm Asana, Baythroid, Capture, Fury/Mustang, permethrin, Warrior Fall armyworm Avaunt, Baythroid, diazinon, Lannate, Larvin, Penncap-M Corn Aphid Asana, diazinon, endosulfan, Metasystox-R Southern corn borer Asana, Avaunt, Baythroid, Capture, diazinon, Fury/Mustang, Lannate, Penncap-M, permethrin, Spintor, Warrior Mite Capture, Metasystox-R WEED CONTROL Preplant incorporated Alachlor, atrazine, Dual Magnum, Eradicane, Leadoff Preemergence Atrazine, Dual Magnum, Leadoff, pendimethalin Postemergence Aim, atrazine, Basagran, Evik (directed spray), Sempra (not in whorl), Stinger
*NOTE*--The above is a partial listingofcontrols intended as examples. Some labels may have been revoked since the publicationofthis guide. Refer to labels for specifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely by misuse.
HARVEST Days after planting= 65 - 90 Early morning harvest reduces field heat build-up. Hydro-cool(40oF water) may be beneficial to maintain quality. Normal method= Hand, can be machine harvested Optimum stage= Early milk stageofkernels Containers= bulk wagons or pallet boxes Grades= based on freedom from blemishes and injury Packaging / handling= 42 - 50 lb wire-bound boxes
STORAGE/TRANSIT CONDITIONS Top ice packed boxes, hold at 32oF and 95 - 98 % RH. 31 oF can cause freeze injury. Shelf life 5 - 8 days (Sh2 varieties, 10 days - 2 weeks).
COMMENTS / PRODUCTION KEYS Corn earworm damage can be limiting factor to commercial production. Harvest timing (kernel early milk stage approximately 15 days after silking) and ear immediate cooling is essential for maintenanceofmaximum ear quality. Proper water and fertility management essential for maximizing yields. Cultivate prior to layby only, do not set cultivators deeper than 1 - 2 ", serious root pruning will occur at deeper depths due to shallow natureofroot system. Good crop rotation with other vegetables (read herbicide labels for instruction on planting subsequent crops). MDMV is aphid transmitted from Johnsongrass sh2 (shrunken-2) types produces peak sugar levels two to four times standard varieties. Require isolation from other types or pollen from other types will cause hard, ugly, starchy dent kernels on the Sh2 ears. Don't require immediate refrigeration as do the other types. Se (sugary enhancer) types has higher sugar content than others but with the same rateofconversion as standard types. Require refrigeration quicker than Sh2 types. Also require isolation. Both Se and Sh 2 types can experience difficulty in establishing stands. Use treated seed to reduce soil borne diseases and insects.