Abstract
Sweet corn planted early in the season can suffer from poor germination due to low soil temperatures. In addition, low ear height of early-season hybrids can make hand- or machine-harvest more challenging. We tested impacts of two in-furrow leonardite treatments on germination and ear height, and a single application of a commercial gibberellic acid product (Proliant) on ear height. Sweet corn was planted on 5 May in southern Minnesota. We tested 14 sweet corn hybrids, including sugary-enhanced, synergistic, and supersweet. We found no impact of leonardite or Proliant on sweet corn stand or ear height. Three hybrids (‘Sprinter XR’, ‘Kickoff XR’, and ‘SCH23604RR’) had stand counts less than 80% of what was expected. ‘Anthem XR’ had the highest ear placement, and ‘Trinity’ had the lowest.
Keywords
GA3, Proliant, humic acid, soil temperature, Zea mays L var. rugosa
DOI
10.5703/1288284318710
Date of this Version
10-5-2026
Recommended Citation
Rohwer, Charlie and Hosch, Jesen, "Impacts of leonardite and gibberellic acid on plant stand and ear height in early-season sweet corn" (2026). Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports. Paper 299.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5703/1288284318710