Abstract

Sweet corn is a major crop in Minnesota. Fresh-market growers supply seasonal produce, and the processing industry grows >80,000 acres. The hybrids grown for each use are different, but both fresh-market and processing growers are interested in ear height; too low, and mechanical or manual harvest is more difficult. Tillering is another trait of interest to growers, as it is thought that tillers reduce yield or interfere with harvest. To address these issues, we studied practices that may reduce tillering or increase sweet corn ear height. Elevated population reduced tillering, and so did two applications of Proliant™ plant growth regulator. Elevated population increased average ear height by 1.1 inches. We found improvement in yield, ear length, tip fill, ear height, or decrease in tillering due to elevated nitrogen (N) fertilizer or combinations of added N with other treatments. We also found no improvement in tip fill, ear length, or yield as a result of any treatment. Hybrid differences were not studied because the three hybrids studied (two processing and one fresh-market) were not replicated.

Keywords

Zea mays L. var. rugosa or saccharate, plant population, nitrogen, gibberellic acid, Proliant, Xtra-Tender 274A, tip fill, ear length

DOI

10.5703/1288284318626

Date of this Version

4-23-2026

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