Abstract
In 2012–2014, at the Research and Didactic Station of the Department of Horticulture at Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (51°19′06″ N, 17°03′49″ E), field studies were conducted to evaluate the responses of two sweet maize hybrids to sowing dates (early and optimum) and five methods of maize plant coverings—polyethylene film: perforated (PE), red (PER), green (PEG), polypropylene non-woven fabric (PP), and control (C), with non-irrigation systems. Total yield and morphological characteristics of cobs were compared. In 2012 soluble sugars and carotenoids content were measured. The use of maize cover at the beginning of growth (PE and PER) significantly influenced the number of rows, while PE and PEG increased the number of grains per cob. Covering maize sown at a later date, with polyethylene film and non-woven fabric, ensured better production effects than using such covers after earlier sowing. Signet F1 hybrid was charact0erized by significantly higher sugar content and Rustler F1 by higher lutein and zeaxanthin levels. The application of the optimum sowing date resulted in a significantly higher yield of cobs, by 11.3%, than after early sowing. The yield increase as a result of the applied covers was higher after sowing at a later date. The content of dry matter in grains was positively correlated with the content of sucrose, glucose, and fructose. The change in carotenoids content also depended on the accumulation of dry matter in the kernels. The study confirmed the correlation of sweet maize accumulated growing degree days (AGDD), and revealed dependence of grain quality on dry matter content in the grain.
Highlights
The objective of this three-year study was to determine the effects of a hybrid sowing date, as well as the polyethylene film and polypropylene non-woven fabric covers on the yield, morphological characteristics of sweet maize cobs, and total cob yield
The use of transparent film to cover maize is recommended in a number of regions [38,39]
The high biological value of sweet maize, as well as the possibility of supplying it to the market in fresh, canned, or frozen form, is the reason why the production and consumption of this species is increasing in many regions of the world
Summary
It results in decreased concentration of amylopectin, increased concentration of sucrose, and accumulation of the highly branched glucopolysaccharide-phytoglycogen Another gene affecting starch metabolism, important in sweet maize, is the natural mutation of sugary (su1)-sugary enhancer (se). One is to sow early hybrids that germinate well at lower temperatures and reach harvest maturity quickly Another way is to use flat covers made of transparent foil or to install low foil tunnels over the maize rows [19,23,24]. Under warm climate conditions, maize grown under cover germinates, tassels, and matures several days faster than maize without cover [28] The objective of this three-year study was to determine the effects of a hybrid sowing date, as well as the polyethylene film and polypropylene non-woven fabric covers on the yield, morphological characteristics of sweet maize cobs, and total cob yield. In 2012, the effect of the treatments used in the study on kernel quality traits was evaluated, and an analysis of soluble sugars and carotenoids content was performed
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