Green Ear Research Articles

Demonstration and Promotion of Improved Maize (Zea mays) Varieties for Green Ear Production: Evidence from the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Demonstration and Promotion of Improved Maize (Zea mays) Varieties for Green Ear Production: Evidence from the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Phenological, growth, and yield responses of sweet corn to elevational air temperatures in the humid tropics

Temperature plays a determinant role in the rate of plant metabolic activities and, accordingly, dictates the plant's phenological stages, growth, and productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phenological, growth, and ear yield behavior of ten sweet corn hybrids in response to elevational temperature changes in the humid tropics. Seeds of ten hybrids were grown in three elevations (coastland, midland, and highland). Results show that the hybrids belonged to the same maturity group with comparable accumulated growing degree days, but they varied in green ear yield, harvest index, and heat use efficiency. It was also found that higher elevations lead to longer plant growth and fewer growing degree-day requirements, resulting in increased in biomass accumulation for ear and overall vegetative growth but more efficient in the heat use. These findings will be useful as a guide for crop management scheduling, including fertilizers application, pest control, diseases control, and weed control, to maximize sweet corn yield at different elevations in the humid tropics.

Diseases prevalent in Kharif crops grown in Barmer district of Rajasthan, India

In the Kharif season, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is the predominant crop of the Barmer district followed by cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) and moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia). Sesame (Sesamum indicum) and green gram (Vigna radiata) are other important Kharif oilseed and pulse crops, respectively. A survey was conducted to determine the status of major diseases of Kharif crops grown in the Barmer district of the Marwar region of Rajasthan, India. Five blocks and three villages in each block were surveyed through a random field survey method during the collection of diseased samples every Sunday for the practical classes of agricultural students of the College of Agriculture, Baytu; in August and September 2023. Per cent disease incidence was recorded on randomly selected plants in a particular field of selected location. The incidence of diseases was observed based on typical field symptoms and later the association was confirmed through microscopic examinations in the laboratory. In survey, yellow mosaic (virus), leaf crinkle/ curl (virus), bacterial leaf spot/ blight (Xanthomonas phaseoli) of green gram;green ear/ downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola), rust (Puccinia substriata) and blast (Pyricularia grisea) of pearl millet; Phytophthora stem blight (Phytophthora parasitica var. sesame) and phyllody (Phytoplasma) of sesame; yellow mosaic (virus)and bacterial leaf spot/ blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis) of cluster beanwere recorded with >50% incidence. However; charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina), web blight (Rhizoctonia solani), Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora canescens) and anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) of green gram; Alternaria blight/ leaf spot (Alternaria sesame) of sesame,sorghum rust (Puccinia purpurea) and Alternaria blight/ leaf spot (Alternaria cyamopsidis) of cluster beanwere noticed with 10 to 50% incidence.

Development of heterotic hybrids of sweet corn for green ear yield and other component traits

Forty two experimental hybrids generated through full diallel mating were evaluated in Randomized Block Design during kharif 2019 to study the magnitude of heterosis in sweet corn. Mid-parent heterosis ranged from -21 to 258 for DEW; -25 to 2 for GFW; 3 to 229 for GEY and standard heterosis ranged from 2.13 to 134.95 for DEW; 82.93 to 317.07 for GFW; -15.70 to 68.40 for GEY. Green ear yield exhibited positive significant correlation of mid-parent and commercial heterosis with NKPR, DEW and GFW in common, while no significant association between GEY and TSS was observed. The crosses KH1831 × SC Syn, SC Syn × SC Sel 2 and SC Sel 2 × SC Syn manifested highest mid-parent heterosis for de-husked ear weight, green ear yield and green fodder weight thus utilizing these hybrids in breeding programmes will serve for dual purpose of yield with fodder. Bangladesh J. Bot. 52(4): 999-1005, 2023 (December)

Agronomic performance of green corn at different sowing times and nitrogen doses

The present study aimed to identify the best sowing time and the best nitrogen dose in topdressing of the corn crop for "green ear" consumption. The experiment was conducted between October 2018 and June 2019 in a commercial crop, in Ipameri, Goiás, Brazil. The soil in the experimental area is classified as dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol with clayey texture. The experimental design used was the randomized blocks, in a 5 x 5 factorial scheme, with five sowing times [1st (10/19/2018); 2nd (11/29/2018); 3rd (01/08/2019); 4th (02/18/2019) and 5th (03/28/2019)], implemented with 40 days intervals, after the first sowing, and five nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1), with four replicates. The following factors were evaluated for each sowing time: relative chlorophyll index, leaf dry mass, leaf nitrogen content, plant height, first ear insertion height, ears diameter and length, the total yield of ears with husks, the yield of commercial ears without husks and grain yield. The data were submitted to the analysis of variance (F-test). The sowing times and nitrogen doses in topdressing influenced the leaf nitrogen content, relative chlorophyll index, leaf dry mass, yield, and most of its components. Thus, it can be indicated that the best time for sowing corn for fresh consumption is in October (1st sowing time), and the estimated nitrogen dose in topdressing to obtain the maximum yield is 160 kg ha-1 of nitrogen.

An Outlook on Processing Sweet Corn Production from the Last Three Decades (1990s–2010s)

Sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa or saccharate), consumed both fresh and processed (primarily canned or frozen), is a popular vegetable crop in the United States. Recent nationwide data have reported declining trends in sweet corn production, which poses serious challenges for the US processing sweet corn producers. Here, we evaluated a processing sweet corn dataset that represents nearly 3 decades (1992–2018) of commercial production in the Upper Midwest and the Pacific Northwest regions in an attempt to understand national trends in US processing sweet corn. The objectives of this study were to (a) quantify trends in processing sweet corn production (harvest area and total green ear mass production); (b) understand trends in planting date, plant population density, and hybrid lifespan; and (c) estimate interannual yield deviations in green ear mass yield. Our results reveal declining trends in sweet corn hectares, particularly in rainfed production systems of the Upper Midwest. For the past 3 decades of commercial sweet corn production, plant population density and planting dates used by vegetable processors have remained unchanged. Our analysis revealed a large range (1 to 20 years) in hybrid lifespan, which can be attributed to wide differences in hybrid yield stability across the diverse production environments in the United States. Rainfed production systems are becoming scarcer because sweet corn yields under rainfed conditions are particularly susceptible to severe weather, including heat and drought stress events. Future research is needed to understand sweet corn yields as a function of climatic and nonclimatic variables to stabilize the industry, particularly given predictions of a future with more frequent weather extremes.

Doğu Akdeniz koşullarında ikinci ürün olarak yetiştirilen bazı hibrit mısır genotiplerinde tane ve yem verimi ile yem kalite özelliklerinin değerlendirilmesi

This research was conducted in order to guide farmers and researchers by determining grain, forage yield and yield-related traits and forage quality of different parts of the whole plant in some maize cultivars in Eastern Mediterranean ecological conditions. In this study, it was assessed grain and forage yield and fodder quality of four maize cultivars (PR91G98, SY Castaneda, SY Gladius, and SY Tuscani) cultivated under the Estern Mediterranean conditions. To determine forage quality, ear, stem and leaves of the whole plant maize were analyzed separately. To evaluate grain and forage yield, parameters like plant height, stem diameter, hay yield, dry matter yield, green leaf yield, green stem yield, ear weight, green ear yield were investigated while features such as crude protein, crude ash, organic matter, NDF, ADF, digestibility of dry matter, dry matter intake and relative feed value were examined to determine forage quality. The new maize cultivars have been updated continually; it is important to clarify the responses of new varieties to agronomic practices and forage yield, quality, grain yield, and related traits. The results of this study revealed that ear is very important for forage yield and quality. The greatest hay and grain yield were produced by PR31G98 maize cultivar. It was observed SY Tuscani had higher NDF and ADF values than other maize varieties. With this study, the importance of nutrient content according to silage yield and plant parts in second crop corn cultivation was determined. In addition, research results showed important source data for farmers and researchers regarding forage and grain yield of maize farming and production area is continually increasing.

First Report of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia' Related Strain (16SrII-D) Associated with Stunting, Little Leaf and Phyllody Disease of Pearl Millet from South India.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L).R.Br.] also known as bajra, is one of the oldest millets and is cultivated in dry regions of arid and semi-arid tropics where no other cereal can be successfully grown. Pearl millet cultivation in India accounts for about two-thirds of millet production and is the fourth most cultivated food crop after rice, wheat and maize in India (Reddy et al. 2021a). In February 2021, the typical symptoms of stunting, phyllody and little leaf were observed after 25-30 days after sowing pearl millet seeds at Agricultural Research Station in Perumallapalle, Tirupati, India (Fig.1 A-C). The disease incidence was recorded up to 20% in the sampling regions. Total DNA was extracted from two symptomatic and two asymptomatic plant samples using CTAB DNA extraction method (Murray and Thompson, 1980). The extracted DNA was amplified in direct PCR and nested PCR assay using phytoplasma 16S rRNA universal primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 (Gundersen and Lee.1996) and secA gene with secAfor1/SecArev3 and SecAfor2/SecArev3 primer pairs (Hodgetts et al. 2008). 16SrRNA (1.25 kb) and secA (600 bp) gene amplicons were obtained from two symptomatic samples by nested PCR. No amplicons were produced with DNA from healthy leaf samples. Nested PCR amplified products (1.25 kb and 600 bp) from the symptomatic samples corresponding to the F2nR2 region of 16S rRNA and secA were directly sequenced at automated DNA sequencing facility (Eurofin Genomics India Pvt., Ltd Bangalore) and sequence data was deposited to NCBI GenBank with accession number ON005559 and ON067810. BLAST analysis revealed that pearl millet phytoplasma strain shared 100% sequence identity in 16Sr RNA and secA genes to 'Canditatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia' related strains (Acc. Nos. OM616883 and MT952965) from India. The subgroup was identified as 16SrII-D using the iPhyClassifier based on the virtual RFLP pattern derived from the query 16S rDNA F2nR2 fragment (Zhao et al. 2009). The virtual RFLP pattern is similar to the reference pattern of 16SrII-D (Y10096) with similarity coefficient 1.00. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and secA gene sequences using MEGA version 7.0 revealed that the pearl millet phytoplasma strain clustered with 'Ca. P. aurantifolia' isolates of 16SrII-D subgroup. (Fig.1D-E) Earlier, one of 16SrI-B-phytoplasma strain (HM 134245) associated with green ear disease of pearl millet was reported in North India (Kumar et al. 2010). In this study, we reported the association of 16SrII-D subgroup phytoplasma with little leaves and witches'-broom disease of pearl millet in South India. Phytoplasmas belonging to the 16SrII-D subgroup have a wide range of hosts, including the agricultural and horticultural crops (Reddy et al., 2021b). Hence, this is the first report of 'Ca. P aurantifolia' infection in bajra in South India. The increase in the spread of 16SrII-D sub group phytoplasma diseases and the expansion of the host range strongly suggest further studies on the epidemiology of the dynamic dissemination of this disease in India.

A Review of: Epidemiology and Management Practices of Fungal and Bacterial Diseases of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Economic significance of pearl millet has recently received more attention than ever, especially in light of the great nutritional value of gluten-free diets for people with celiac disease. The most major diseases afflict pearl millet include smut, ergot, rust, leaf blast, and green ear disease/downy mildew, despite many new varieties being created throughout the years. Nevertheless, to effectively control them and maximize the crop's economic production, diseases like leaf blast, rust, smut, bacterial leaf spot, stripe, and strike also require early attention. Result, comprehensive data has been gathered in this review within the categories of a etiology, epidemiology, and management practices. The goal of this review is to know the status of pearl millet diseasesis adequately understood, and their correct present management approaches and the need for prospects is underlined.

Study of Impact of Prominent Diseases in Hotspot on Pearl millet Genotypes (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The present study was conducted to identify impact of biotic stresses on pearl millet genotypes. It is one of the hardy crops adaptable to wide range of ecological conditions and water scarcity. Pearl millet crop is affected by number of diseases caused by fungus, bacteria, virus, nematodes, etc. The present investigation was carried out using 50 different genotypes with two replications. Observations on diseases viz Downey mildew (green ear head disease) and blast reaction (Leaf spot) were recorded. The genotypes S-21/05(1%) followed by S-21/06(1%), S-21/18 (1%), S-21/18 (1%), DHLB-27B, (2%), DHLB-36B (2%), S-21/13 (2%), S-21/15 (2%), S-21/07(2%), S-21/11 (2%), DHLB-37B(3%), S-21/04 (3%), S-21/08(3%), S-21/14 (4%), S-21/16 (4%), S-21/12 (5%), PBLN-2021-204 (5%) exhibited highest resistance to blast reaction. The genotype DHLB-31B (1%), followed by S-21/05 (1%), ICMB-9544 (1%), PBLN-2021-203 (1%), S-21/17 (2%), S-21/19 (2%), PBLN-2021-204 (2.38%), PBLN-2021-211 (2.38%), S-21/07 (2.54%), S-21/10 (2.54%), PBLN-2021-212 (4.39%) and S-21/20 (4.67%) were found highly resistant to Downey mildew incidence.

Diversity of twenty-three sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) varieties in Indonesia

Abstract. Heryanto FSS, Wirnas D, Ritonga AW. 2022. Diversity of twenty-three sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) varieties in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 6075-6081. One of the most well-known vegetables in Asian countries, including Indonesia. Improving superior sweet corn varieties is important in the face of increasing biotic or abiotic stresses and consumer preferences for agricultural products. Plant breeding programs rely on genetic variability and heritability information. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the genetic diversity and heritability of 23 commercial sweet corn varieties in Indonesia. The study was conducted at the Leuwikoppo experimental field of the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, from August to November 2021. Twenty-three commercial sweet corn varieties (hybrid and open-pollinated) from Indonesia were planted in the field employing a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Ear shelf life and green ear yield had a high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), whereas plant height, ear height, stalk length, 100-grain weight, total soluble solids, green ear shelf life, green ear weight, and ear weight had a moderate GCV. Stem diameter, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, 50% days to tasseling and silking, anthesis, silking interval, ear length, ear diameter, ear length with the kernel, ear length percent with the kernel, kernel length, and kernel width had a low GCV. High genetic diversity was present among the trialed varieties, indicating their high potential for improvement.

Racial Injustices in Debbie Tucker Green's Ear for Eye

يَستَعرض البحث موْضوعات العنصرية عبر التاريخ، وعنف الشرطة، ونظام العدالة الجنائية، ومواجهة الأفارقة للتمييز العرقي، کما وردت في مسرحية "Ear for Eye". وترکز تاکر جرين على مفهوم التمييز في نظر شخصيات مختلفة مثل: أستاذ، وطالبة سوداء، ورجل أسود، وبعض الآباء السود أيضًا. وعلى الرغم من أن السود قد حصَّلوا بعضًا من حقوقهم السياسية إلا أن احتجاجاتهم تصل إلى مسامعنا لأن ما حصلوا مازال غير کافٍ.

Studies on correlation and path co-efficient analysis of single cross hybrids in sweet corn

A total of 42 experimental hybrids generated by diallel mating design using 7 inbred lines of sweet corn were evaluated with parents and checks during Kharif 2019 at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Green ear yield revealed a significant correlation in the positive direction with plant height, ear height, ear length, ear girth, number of kernel rows, and number of kernels per row at both genotypic and phenotypic levels, while a negative correlation was observed with days to 50% silking and Turcicum Leaf Blight. The highest value of correlation co-efficient for green ear yield was observed with green ear yield without husk, followed by the number of kernels per row and ear girth. However, there is no significant correlation between green ear yield and Total Soluble Solids. The genotypic correlation was found to be higher than the phenotypic correlation indicating high heritability of traits. Ear girth, ear height and the number of kernels per row displayed the highest positive direct effects on yield at the genotypic level and also manifested significantly positive indirect effects via plant height, ear height, green ear weight without husk, green fodder weight and the number of kernels per row. These three traits were likewise shown to have the most positive correlation with green ear yield. As a result, these attributes can be considered while selecting sweet corn genotypes for higher green ear yield.

Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in sweet corn for green ear yield and yield related traits

A study was carried out in sweet corn to evaluate seven inbred lines, three checks and 42 experimental hybrids during Kharif 2019. This study revealed a significant difference among the genotypes for traits studied indicating the presence of abundant genetic variability. The phenotypic co-efficient of variation ranged from 4.57 (DFS) to 36.41 (GEWH) while the genotypic co-efficient of variation ranged from 3.72 (DFT) to 25.35 (GEWH). Green ear yield without husk (25.35, 36.41); green fodder weight (22.47, 29.20) and green ear yield (24.63, 33.31) recorded high PCV and GCV values. The traits plant height (0.73), ear girth (0.61) and TLB (0.69) displayed high heritability values and none of the traits showed low heritability. Genetic advance over mean ranged from 5.71 (DFT) to 37.53 (GEY). High genetic advance over mean was observed for the traits green ear weight without husk, and green fodder weight. Moderate heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for the traits green ear weight without husk, green fodder weight and green ear yield. Thus, traits like green ear yield, green ear weight without husk, green fodder weight, ear length and the number of kernels per row should be prioritized while selecting sweet corn genotypes for increased yield as they have a moderate to low range of genotypic co-efficient of variation, phenotypic co-efficient of variation, heritability, and genetic advance over mean.

INDICADORES PRODUTIVOS DE CULTIVARES DE MILHO VERDE EM DIFERENTES DENSIDADES POPULACIONAIS

ABSTRACT Specific cultivars for production of green corn, more productive and adapted to the conditions of each region, combined with adequate population density, can increase the yield of the crop. This work aimed to identify, under different plant densities, the cultivars with agronomic characteristics for the production of green corn. The experiment was conducted from March to June 2018, in the experimental area of the Technical College of Teresina, at the Federal University of Piauí. The treatments were distributed in a randomized block design, in a factorial scheme, with three plant densities (40,000, 50,000 and 60,000 plants ha−1) and two corn cultivars (AG 1051 and BRS 3046). The variables evaluated were the diameter and length of the commercial green ear, the yield, the percentage of commercial green ear and the length of the period between the emergence (VE) and the flowering stage (VT) of the cultivars in relation to the accumulated number of degree-days (ADD). In terms of cycle (period between VE and VT), the hybrid AG 1051 was later, with 47 days after emergence (DAE) and 823.23 ADD, than the BRS 3046 (44 DAE and 773.32 ADD); however, there was an acceleration of the period of vegetative development in the hybrids, which ranged from 43 (773.32 ADD) to 47 (828.23 ADD) days, respectively, so that there was male flowering. With the increase in densities, there was decrease in the values of production. The highest yield of commercial ears (15.45 Mg ha-1) was obtained at a density of 50,000 plants ha−1.

Agronomic performance of maize hybrids for forage production in the 2019/2020 harvest

Maize has great economic prominence in national and international agribusiness, being used for various purposes such as grain use and in the form of bulky (silage). This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of twelve maize hybrids for silage production in Inconfidentes-MG. Twelve hybrids were used: 20A78PW, 2B512PW, 2B533PW, 2B688PW, 30F53LEPTERA, AG8740-PRO3, DKB345-PRO3, DKB363-PRO3, LG3055-PRO3, LG6036-PRO3, MAXIMUS-VIP3, and MG652PW. The treatments were implanted in a randomized block design (CBD) containing three repetitions. The experimental plots consisted of four lines of five meters in length and 0.8 m spacing between rows, with the two central lines as useful areas. The parameters evaluated were green matter productivity, dry matter productivity, plant height, ear height, average stalk thickness, cutting window, flowering, and cycle. The hybrids 20A78PW; 2B533PW; DKB345-PRO3, and DKB363-PRO3 presented the highest cut-off window values in relation to the others. LG3055-PRO3 hybrid presented the smallest cut-off window. The hybrids 30F53LEPTERA, AG8740, DKB345-PRO3, LG6036-PRO3, and MG652PW presented the highest plant height values. No statistical difference was observed between the hybrids for the variables: green matter productivity, ear height, and stalk thickness. Hybrids AG8740, DKB345-PRO3, LG6036-PRO3, and MG652PW obtained the highest dry matter productivity values. Hybrids 20A78PW, 2B533PW, DKB345-PRO3, and DKB363-PRO3 presented the lowest male and female flowering time. Hybrid DKB345-PRO3 stood out, showing great potential to be recommended and cultivated by silage producers.

Application of foliar biofertilizers with and without NPK in cultivating white-glutinous corn

Organic farming used fermented fruit and plant juices as foliar fertilizers to enhance crop production. However, the usage is usually limited to sole fruit or plant fermentation with chemicals and other growth enhancers. The use of various fruits, plants, fish products, and Cyanobacteria with Mycorrhizal fungi combinations to enhance white-glutinous corn has not yet been explored. This trial investigated the different fermented fruits (FFJ), plants (FPJ), fishes (FAA), and commercial Cyanobacteria with Mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizocote) in single-use or combination with NPK to enhance the growth, yield, and Return on Investment (ROI) of cultivating white-glutinous corn. The application was 2 tbsp L-1 water for single use of fermented biofertilizers while 1 tbsp L-1 water for fermented foliar with NPK combinations. The results showed that the height of corn was not significant among treatments in 30 and 60 days after planting (DAP). However, corn treated with Rhizocote alone was the tallest in 45 DAP and had longer days to reach 50% corn tasseling. White-glutinous corn treated with Rhizocote + NPK had the highest number of ears. The rest of the treatments yielded a comparable number of ear sizes ranging from 1.27 to 1.37 cm. The highest yield of marketable green ears accounted for 7.45 t ha-1 with Rhizocote + NPK, while the lowest was observed when the white-glutinous corn was fertilized alone with FFJ at 2.93 t-ha. The Rhizocote + NPK obtained the highest R.O.I. of 263.68% compared to other treatments. Thus, the recommendation is to use 1.00 tbsp L-1 water commercial Rhizocote + recommended NPK for a productive and profitable white-glutinous corn. More investigation using different agri-fishery products fermentation at higher concentrations are needed in culture of white-glutinous corn for green ear production in various planting season.

Economic nitrogen doses via fertigation for corn cultivation in a semiarid environment

Producers in the northeastern semiarid region of Brazil have been cultivating irrigated corn. The commercialized product comprises mainly green ears and silage. However, the irrigation of crops for dry grain has been questioned regarding costs and price competitiveness in relation to the same non-irrigated product cultivated in other regions. In recent years, the use of drip tapes and fertigation has spread among corn producers in the region. The aim of this study was to determine the N dose, via fertigation, which provides the maximum economic production of corn for dry grain, in two crop seasons (summer and winter), in the semiarid region of Brazil. The experimental design was performed in randomized blocks, with four replications. In both crops, the treatments consisted of four doses of N (0, 80, 160, and 240 kg ha-1) applied in the form of urea. In the hybrid corn (Bt Feroz), the N content was evaluated in terms of leaves, grain yield, gross and net incomes, the rate of return, and the profitability index. Independent of the crop season, the yield of dry grain (5,441.03 kg ha-1) was highest when the corn was fertigated with a dose of 104.05 kg ha-1 N. The highest net incomes of the dry grain were obtained with 80 kg ha-1 N in summer (R$ 1,190.78 ha-1) and 160 kg ha-1 N in winter (R$ 2,757.54 ha-1). The winter crop was more favorable to the economic production of dry grain.

AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF CORN ON THE COB GROWN ON RESIDUAL ORGANOMINERAL FERTILIZATION USED IN INDUSTRIAL TOMATO CROP

The study evaluated the agronomic performance of green maize grown on residual organomineral fertilization used in the industrial tomato crop. The randomized block design was used, with three replications and eight treatments as follows: control (without fertilizer application); mineral fertilizer; cattle manure; organomineral with cattle manure + MAP (monoammonium phosphate); chicken manure; organomineral with chicken manure + MAP; broiler litter; and organomineral with broiler litter + MAP. All of those treatments were applied to the tomato crop that preceded the green maize crop. After the tomato harvest, maize was sown in the same tomato growing row. Growth variables of green maize plants and ears were evaluated. The green maize grown in areas with residues of chicken and cattle manure, used as fertilizers in the tomato crop preceding the maize crop, resulted in a number of commercial ears similar to when mineral fertilizer was used. The same similar results were obtained for ear quality and yield. The use of organic fertilizers in the industrial tomato crop presented high viability, which made possible to replace the use of mineral fertilizers in the subsequent green maize crop.

Effect of row spacing and seeding rate on baby corn production

Baby corn is the female green ear of the corn plant harvested before fertilization and its cultivation is a profitable alternative for small farms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of row spacing (0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 m) and seeding rate (13, 15, 17 plants per meter) on baby corn production. The study was conducted at State University of Northern Paraná, Luiz Meneghel Campus, southern Brazil with a 5 × 3 factorial scheme (spacing, density) arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. Corn hybrid AG1051 was grown in 5-m long and 6.5-m wide plots. The yield components evaluated were stalk diameter, length and diameter of the unhusked and husked ear, shape index, unhusked yield, husked yield, and marketable yield. Stalk diameter and ear size were significantly affected by row spacing. Ears were not perfectly cylindrical. Baby corn yield was not affected by either row spacing or planting density.