Sweet Corn Growth Responses and Leaf Concentrations as Affected by Lime Types and Fertilizer Treatments in a Five-year Study

Abstract

Abstract A 5-year sweet corn nutrition experiment involving 4 lime treatments, 14 fertilizer treatments, and 2 hybrids was conducted on Hagerstown silt loam which had an initial pH of 5.2. Calcitic, calcitic with 3% Mg and dolomitic (12% Mg) limes applied during the 1st and 3rd years at 4.5 MT/ha increased vigor, yield, percentage of marketable ears, leaf N, leaf P and decreased leaf Mn and Zn. Calcitic lime increased leaf Ca and Mg by 21% and 31%, respectively. Dolomitic lime more than doubled leaf Mg but did not affect leaf Ca. Dolomitic lime increased leaf Mg by 55% 60 days after application. The best fertilizer responses were obtained with 56 kg/ha each of N and P banded for ‘Northern Belle’, with 112 kg/ha of N (75% broadcast, 25% banded), and 56 kg/ha P banded for ‘Deep Gold’. These treatments increased yields (by 36% and 60%, respectively, compared to the check), plant height, ear size and weight, and hastened maturity by 5 days. Additions of K or Mg did not improve the response. Height and yield were reduced and maturity was delayed when Ca (NO3)2 rather than NH4 NO3 was used as the N source. Leaf Ca, Mg, and Mn were lower with Ca (NO3)2 than with NH4 NO3 and urea sources, but leaf N, P, Mn, Cu and Zn increased with the urea source. Leaf Ca and Mg were enhanced by NH4 NO3, Ca (NO3)2, and urea, and depressed by KC1.