Sweet Corn Research Articles

Phosphorus influence on the critical period of weed control in sweet corn

Abstract Understanding the effect of phosphorus (P) fertilization on weed interference with sweet corn is important for deciding appropriate fertilization levels and weed control programs. Field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 in Belle Glade, FL, to determine the influence of P fertilization levels (0 or residual P, 62.5, and 120 kg P2O5 ha−1) on the critical period of weed control (CPWC) in sweet corn on organic soils. Experimental plots were subjected to increased duration of weed interference and weed-free period treatments for each P fertilization level. The beginning and end of the CPWC based on 5% and 10% acceptable yield loss (AYL) levels were determined by fitting log-logistic and Gompertz models to represent the increasing duration of weed interference and duration of the weed-free period, respectively. The log-logistic curves did not estimate the beginning of the CPWC at 5% AYL for 0 and 125 kg P2O5 ha−1 because the estimated upper limits of the curves were lower than the 95% relative yield used for estimation of 5% AYL. Based on a 10% AYL level, the length of the CPWC in sweet corn under optimum P fertilization levels was estimated to be 27 d, from the 6- to 7-leaf stage until the silking stage of growth. Reducing P fertilization by 50% increased the CPWC to 36 d, from the 5-leaf stage until the silking to blister stage of growth. Lack of P fertilization increased the CPWC to 64 d, from sweet corn emergence until the blister to milk stage of growth. These results show that the beginning of the CPWC in sweet corn is delayed and the end is shortened as P fertilization level increases. Therefore reduction in P fertilization will require a more intensive weed management program for sweet corn because of the prolonged duration of the CPWC.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE CULTURE SYSTEM AND THE HYBRID ON PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY FOR SWEET CORN

The paper presents the results of the study regarding the behavior of two hybrids of sweet corn and the economic efficiency of this culture, established in two culture systems, in the field and in solar greenhouse. The experience took place in 2021, in southern Romania, on a psamosoil type soil, 43°48′04″N 24°05′31″E. The biological material was represented by the hybrids Sweet Thing F1 and Dessert R78 F1 grown in open field and in solar greenhouse. The specifics of the variants were as follows: V1- Sweet Thing F1- culture in solar greenhouse; V2- Sweet Thing F1 - field culture; V3- Dessert R78 F1- culture in solar greenhouse; V4- Dessert R78F1 – field culture. The control of the experience was the average of the variants. In order to assess the behavior of the hybrids, determinations were made regarding morphological characters, production capacity and economic efficiency for both culture systems. The results regarding the influence of the culture system on the morphological and production characters indicate for both hybrids higher values in solar greenhouse system, compared to the results recorded in field culture. In the field, production was lower, being affected by the increase in temperatures during the pollination period, over 300C. Regarding the influence of the hybrid on sweet corn production, Sweet Thing F1 performed best both in the field and in solar greenhouse - 11.2 t/ha. Concerning the crop of sweet corn in a solar greenhouse, the profit rate was three times higherthan the crop in the field due to the earliness of the crop and the higher selling price.

Quantifying demand and willingness to pay for local food production

Abstract The location of production and processing has had an increasingly prominent role in discussions regarding food systems today. Acknowledging the increasing importance, we study consumer preferences for and perception of local products with a particular focus on how willingness to pay (WTP) for local origin indication differs across products, types of designations, and rurality of the individual's geographic location. Using data collected through an online survey, we focused on Indiana residents’ preferences for sweet corn and Barbecue (BBQ) sauce with the sample representing both rural and urban consumers across all twelve economic growth regions in the state. Results reveal significant premiums for local products, with variations in WTP for certain local indications across rural and urban respondents. We also find that the marketing channel (farmer's market, direct from producer, or retail/grocery store) significantly influences respondents’ WTP for the two products, with results varying across the two products.

Glycemic Index of Sweet Corn and the Characteristics of their Flakes by Adding the Red Bean

Consuming foods with a low glycemic index, such as sweet corn (Zea mays Saccharata), which has a high fiber content, can help lower the risk of diabetes. According to previous research, sweet corn is predicted to have a low glycemic index (GI). The study's goals were to determine the value of the glycemic index of corn and to produce low glycemic index instant flake products made from sweet corn and red beans. The glycemic index value of sweet corn was determined using a glycemic index test technique based on ISO 26642:2010E. The flakes was made with the addition of red beans reported to have the lowest glycemic index among legume, i.e. 26 in order to enhance the crude protein content of the flakes. Flakes were made in two formulas based on the proportion of red beans to sweet corn, namely formula 1 (30:70) and formula 2 (70:30). Proximate analysis was done according to AOAC 2005, total dietary fiber analysis according to AOAC Official Methods 985.29, and total starch analysis according to AOAC 2002.02. Texture analysis of the flakes was carried out using a texture analyzer and color analysis using a chromameter. The sweet corn was found to have a low GI (<55) i.e. 36. Formula 1 flakes contained more fat (db), carbohydrate (db), and total starch (db); while formula 2 flakes had more moisture, protein (db), and resistant starch (db). The resulting flakes have crispy texture (hardness of 553±5.09 gf for formula 1 and 519.05±6.86 gf for formula 2) and have yellow color (both are included in the yellow chromatic area).

Does Maize Cultivation is Profitable in Tamil Nadu-economics of Maize cultivation in Western Zone of Tamil Nadu, India

Maize is important cereal crop and widely cultivated across India after Rice and Wheat. Maize in India, contributes nearly 9 per cent in the national food basket. Maize is cultivated throughout the year in all states of the country for various purposes including grain, fodder, green cobs, sweet corn, baby corn, popcorn in peri-urban areas. The present study is taken to identify the economics of maize cultivation in different districts of western zone of Tamil Nadu. The study is based on the primary data. The primary data required for the study were collected through personal interview from 166 farmers with the help of a comprehensive interview schedule. The study identifies that ploughing cost differs from Rs.11450 to Rs.11850, cost for seed and sowing differs from Rs.10500 to Rs.11,500. The study also identifies that on average the maize farmers earn Rs.50,000 per hectare and the benefit cost ratio come around 1.6.

Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency through Nano Urea in Pigeon Pea Based Intercropping System

A field experiment was conducted at Birsa Agricultural University Ranchi during the kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 to evaluate N uptake and Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) for nitrogen as influenced by pigeon pea-based intercropping systems and nitrogen management. Pigeon pea + sweet corn intercropping systems with 100% recommended nitrogen (N1), recorded significantly higher total nitrogen uptake (196.6 kg/ha) which was at par with 50% RDN + 2 spray of nano urea (189.1 kg/ha). Whereas partial factor productivity (PFP), agronomic efficiency (AE), apparent recovery use efficiency (ARUE), economic nutrient use efficiency (ENUE), partial nutrient balance (PNB) of pigeon pea + sweet corn intercropping was recorded maximum (27.4 kg/kg, 13.4 kg/kg, 64.8 %, 1.66 kg yield/ ₹ invested in nitrogen & 0.88 kg/kg) respectively, while in nitrogen management, 50% RDN + 2 sprays of Nano urea performed better in terms of PFP, AE, ARUE, ENUE & PNB (52.5 kg/kg, 24.1 kg/kg, 115.4 %, 3.20 kg yield/ ₹ invested in nitrogen & 1.43 kg/kg respectively) when compared to the other nitrogen management.

IMPROVING CROPS BY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT AND SOIL CONDITIONERS: A REVIEW

Deficit irrigation strategies would require an accurate assessment of growth stage-specific stress tolerances for vegetable crops and optimal water management supported by advanced irrigation systems; i.e., able to promptly cope with crop water requirements at sensitive phenological stages However, in semiarid environments, the fulfillment of leaching requirements significantly limits the possibility of applying deficit irrigation criteria and reduces the WUE in irrigated vegetable production. The adoption of methods to control the level of plant water stress (using soil tensiometers or other soil water sensors or calculation of water balance) can reduce the amount of water applied to the crop up to 53%. Use of subsurface drip irrigation has progressed from being a novelty used only in experimental fields to an accepted method of irrigation for both tree and vegetable crops mentioned that subsurface drip irrigation on lettuce, tomato and sweet corn (Z. mays) has significantly increased yield and WUE in all these crops. Subsurface drip irrigation may increase WUE in semiarid environment under saline conditions by increasing yield. Our research goal is to suggest a framework could be utilized from natural and synthetic materials that could be used as soil and/or plant conditioners to maximize water use efficiency under drought conditions

Effect of Different Levels and Times of Nitrogen Application on Grain and Forage Quality of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. saccharata)

This field experiment conducted during the rabi season of 2017-18 at N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, aimed to investigate the response of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) to different levels and times of nitrogen application under the south Gujarat conditions. The factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications was employed, considering four nitrogen levels (90 kg/ha, 120 kg/ha, 150 kg/ha, and 180 kg/ha) and four split application treatments (½ basal + ½ at knee height, ½ basal + ¼ knee height + ¼ tasseling, 1/3 basal + 1/3 knee height + 1/3 tasseling, and ¼ basal + ½ at knee height + ¼ tasseling). The results of the study demonstrated that the application of 180 kg/ha nitrogen significantly increased the protein content in grain and fodder (10.51% and 3.88% respectively) and total sugar content (14.96). Additionally, higher NPK uptake and available nitrogen (197.25 kg/ha) and phosphorus (47.53 kg/ha) levels were observed with a 180 kg/ha nitrogen application rate. When nitrogen was applied in three splits, specifically at ¼ basal + ½ at knee height + ¼ tasseling, it resulted in significantly higher protein content in grain and fodder (9.89% and 3.54% respectively), total sugar content (13.65), as well as NPK uptake in grain and fodder and available nitrogen and phosphorus (189.95 kg/ha and 45.84 kg/ha). These findings highlight the importance of nitrogen management in sweet corn cultivation to enhance the nutritional quality and productivity of both grain and fodder. Implementing the optimal nitrogen levels (180 kg/ha) and split application timings (¼ basal + ½ at knee height + ¼ tasseling) can contribute to achieving desirable protein and sugar content, as well as improving NPK uptake and availability of nitrogen and phosphorus.

EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANTING TIME ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF SWEET CORN (zea mays saccharata sturt) AND PEANUT (Arachis hypogaea)IN AN INTERCROPPING SYSTEM

The effectiveness of planting time on the growth of production of sweet corn (zea mays saccharata sturt) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in an intercropping system, Ruly awidiyantini and Lia Kristiana, Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic University of Madura. peanuts is by several planting treatments and spacing. This study aims to determine the response of several planting treatments and plant spacing to the growth and production of maize (Zea mays) in an intercropping system with peanuts. The research method used a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 3 treatment levels, namely P0 planting at the same time, P1 planting a difference of 1 week and P2 a difference of 2 weeks. Parameters observed were plant height (cm), number of leaves (strands), weight of wet ear (g), and weight of dry ear (g). The results showed that the effectiveness of several treatments and planting time of sweet corn (Zea mays) in the peanut intercropping system gave a very significant effect on the parameters of sweet corn height, number of leaves, weight of wet cobs and weight ofdry cobs but had no significant effect on number of branches peanuts. The planting time treatment was still the most effective in responding to sweet corn (Zea mays) in the peanut intercropping system.

Frequency of heterotic hybrids in relation to general combining ability of parents in sweet corn.

The success of developing prominent hybrids directly depends on the selection of parents with good combining ability which can transfer desirable genes with additive effects to their progeny. The data of 42 hybrids generated using 7×7 full diallel design; their seven parents along with three check hybrids were subjected to combining ability analysis from the experiment that was carried out during rainy season 2019. The analysis of variance showed significant general combining ability, and specific combining ability mean sum of squares for all the thirteen characters studied. It is obvious from the results that three lines (SC Sel 2, SC Sel 1 and SC Sel 3) showed high overall general combining ability status, suggesting these lines as good general combiners across traits. Eighteen hybrids had high overall specific combining ability status, while nearly 52% (22 hybrids), 57% (24 hybrids) and 47% (20 hybrids) of crosses showed high overall mid-parent, better-parent and standard heterosis. The unique superiority of crosses involving high overall general combiner parent in the crosses highlighted the importance of using such parents to realize high heterotic crosses. A non-linear relationship between high overall specific combining ability status and heterotic status of hybrids was noticed. The probability of obtaining a cross with high standard heterosis was more with employing parents with high general combining ability status.

Effect of Addition of Organic Sweet Corn Flour (Zea Mays L. Saccharata) Against Setting Time Test For Alginate

Alginate is one of the most frequently used dental materials; and alginate impression is a simple, cost-effective, and indispensable part of dental practice. However, alginate impression material is still difficult to find in remote areas, this is due to the distance factor and the limited supply of alginate. One of the substitutes for alginate is sweet corn that contain polysaccharide a and are easily available in Indonesia. . This type of research is a laboratory experimental study using 4 groups, consisting of the first group as a control group, namely alginate without being given a mixture of sweet corn flour (10 g). The second group with 60% alginate percentage (6 g) sweet corn flour 40% (4 g) . The third group alginate percentage 55% (5.5 g) sweet corn flour 45% (4.5 g). The fourth group was 50% alginate (5 g) 50% sweet corn flour (5 g). Each group consists of 6 samples. The results of this study were then analyzed using One Way Anova to see if there were differences in each treatment group, the results showed that there were significant differences (p 0.05) in each group. This study also found the group with the fastest setting time, namely the control group, with an average of and the longest setting time is in group 3 with an average of 234 seconds . This can happen because of the polysaccharide content, namely amylopectin in sweet corn flour. The conclusion of this study is that sweet corn flour ( Zea mays L. Saccharata ) can be used as an alginate mixture because it has a setting time according to the American Dental Association (ADA ) standard, which is 2 - 4.5 minutes.

Use of Local Resources from Oil Palm Bunch Ash combined with Cow Manure to Grow and Produce Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) Planted in Peat Soil to Support Smart Agriculture

Use of Local Resources from Oil Palm Bunch Ash combined with Cow Manure to Grow and Produce Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) Planted in Peat Soil to Support Smart Agriculture

Effect of Nano Zinc on Growth and Quality of Sweet Corn in Southern Telangana Zone, India

The field experiment was conducted at the College farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during rabi season of 2022 with an objective to assess the impact of nano zinc on the growth, yield and quality of sweet corn in Zinc deficient soil. The experiment included 9 treatments with three forms of Zn fertilizer viz., ZnSO4, Zn EDTA and Nano Zn. The results of the study revealed that foliar application of Zn EDTA at 5 g L-1 recorded significantly highest values for growth, Zn uptake and quality parameters while soil application of ZnSO4 at 25 kg ha-1 was the second best treatment. Foliar application of Nano Zinc was significantly superior to the control; however, it was not comparable to the most effective treatment (T9).

Integrating machine learning and empirical evapotranspiration modeling with DSSAT: Implications for agricultural water management

The availability of accurate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) data is crucial for developing decision support systems for optimal water resource management. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of three empirical models (Hargreaves-Samani (HS), Priestly-Taylor (PT), and Turc (TU)) and three machine learning models (Multiple linear regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), and Artificial Neural Network (NN)) in estimating daily ETo compared to the Penman-Monteith FAO-56 (PM) model. Long-term data from 42 weather stations in Florida were used. Moreover, the effect of ETo model selection on sweet corn irrigation water use was investigated by integrating simulated ETo data from empirical and ML models using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model at two locations (Citra and Homestead) in Florida. Furthermore, a linear bias correction calibration technique was employed to improve the performance of empirical models. Results were consistent in that the NN and RF models outperformed the empirical models. The empirical models tended to underestimate and overestimate small and high daily ETo values, respectively, with the HS model exhibiting the least accuracy. However, calibrated PT and TU models performed comparably to the ML models. Results also revealed that using an inappropriate ETo model could lead to over-irrigation by up to 54 mm during a single crop season. Overall, ML models have proven reliable alternatives to the PM model, especially in regions with access to long-term data due to their site-independent performance. In areas without long-term data for ML model training and testing, calibrating empirical models is viable, but site-specific calibration is needed. It is important to highlight that distinct plant species exhibit varying transpiration characteristics and, consequently, have different water requirements. These differences play a pivotal role in shaping the overall impact of ETo models on crop water use.

Efficiency of tank mixes usage to protect sweet corn from pests

The article presents the results of a study to identify the effectiveness of the use of Aktofit, Lepidocid, Aktara, Aktellik, Admiral and their tank mixtures against cotton budworm in the foothill zone of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. Sweet corn is a vegetable crop that is the most demanding on growing conditions and requires attention to itself. It is especially important to obtain high-quality sweet corn cobs. The yield and quality indicators of sweet corn cobs are significantly affected by such pests: meadow moth, stalk moth, cotton budworm, aphids, swedish fly, chickweed. The most dangerous among them is the cotton budworm, it is difficult to deal with it. The period of formation of butterflies is more than a month, during which time several generations appear. The cotton bollworm causes irreparable damage if no measures are taken to protect the cobs. The usage of different treatment schemes affected not only the number of the pest, but also the damage to the cobs, taking into account the lateral damage to the cobs. When selling cobs with upper damage, it is possible to cut off the damaged part and present it as a marketable one, and in case of lateral damage, the entire cob is rejected. Having carried out chemical and biological treatments, the number of lateral damaged cobs was noticeably reduced. This is due to the fact that the number of individuals decreased sharply and did not have time to breed on the sides of the cobs. It was found that without the use of treatments, the length of damage to the cobs reached 3.5 cm. In the variants with the Aktara + Admiral tank mixture, the length of damage to the cobs was 1.3 cm, and ac Aktara + Aktellik - 1.5 cm. Thus, the best treatment scheme was determined: 1. Aktara + Actellik (0.1+0.5 l/ha); 2. Aktara + Admiral, (0.1+0.5 l/ha), which had the lowest indicators: the number of damaged ears, the length of the damage and the number of ears with lateral damage, as well as the percentage of marketable yield was higher.

Inbred-hybrid relationship and heterosis on agronomic traits in bi-color sweet and waxy corn

Abstract. Patthawaro P, Dermail A, Chankaew S, Simla S, Lomthaisong K, Lertrat K, Suriharn K. 2023. Inbred-hybrid relationship and heterosis on agronomic traits in bi-color sweet and waxy corn. Biodiversitas 24: 6351-6359. Maize hybrids become more acceptable than other cultivar types since they promise high yield and uniformity by exploiting the heterosis advantages. Numerous lines are to be crossed to obtain the promising hybrids, and the progenies must be tested in multi-environment trials. Handling large number of genotypes in routine work is resource intensive; thus, the question arises if hybrid prediction based on the mid-parent (MP) value is feasible to reduce the workload. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of MP values in hybrid prediction through simple linear correlation and to estimate the magnitude of heterosis on given traits in sweet-waxy corn. Six parental lines and 10 F1 hybrids were evaluated in Khon Kaen in the dry and rainy seasons (2021/2022). Genotype and the interaction between genotype and season were significant for all observed traits. Waxy corn genotype 8A3-B was a good combiner for yield and yield components. Heterosis was trait-dependent, and it could imply parental adaptation when the estimation was done in contrasting environments. We found that the MP value can be used to predict the hybrid performance for flowering times only, but this approach was not effective for the rest agronomic traits. Since commonly, maize improvements are regarding multiple favorable traits, the strategy to use MP as single factor in hybrid prediction was not reliable. Other approaches, either SCA alone or the sum of mid-parent GCA and SCA, could be implemented for hybrid prediction in future studies.

Unravelling the postharvest quality diversities of different sweet corn varieties

Different varieties of sweet corn exhibit varying degrees of quality deterioration after harvest, especially changes in appearance, sugar composition, texture and flavor. Changes of 18 common phenolic acids, organic acids, and sugars of sweet corn varieties, ‘Jingkenuo 2000’, ‘Jingkenuo 768’ and ‘Nongkenuo 336’, during a shelf-life period of 10 d at 20 °C were identified in this study. The differences of flavor among the varieties may be due to their different flavor regulation pathways. Maintenance of sweetness of ‘Nongkenuo 336’ corn was associated with the lowest decreases of sucrose, lactose, stachyose, raffinose, melibiose and galactinol after harvest. In this variety, the expression of INV in the sucrose metabolism and BMY in starch degradation increased the least, while that of SS4 and SS5, involved in starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, decreased the lowest compared with the other two varieties. In ‘Jingkenuo 2000’, expression of MLS and IFS, genes relevant to the flavor components, malic acid and flavonoids, increased after harvest. In ‘Jingkenuo 768’ more rapid degradation of phenylalanine and citric acid was related to up-regulation of NAD-IDH and limited down-regulation level of CS. ‘Nongkenuo 336’ maintained alcohol production but lower ester aroma components through down-regulation of LOX and down-regulation of ADH5 and ADH2, which was associated with undesirable aroma. ‘Nongkenuo 336’ also had delayed expression of the cell wall degradation gene (egl) and decreased expression of cell wall synthesis genes (PE, CALS3 and CALS7), related to the firmness. This study contributes to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms affecting quality changes of sweet corn varieties after harvest.

COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF SOME BIO-PESTICIDES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN PINK STEM BORER, Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) ON SWEET CORN (Zea mays var. saccharata L.)

The study was conducted at Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) horticultural garden Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria under irrigation in two dry seasons (2019 and 2020). The region is located at Latitude11º11'1N and Longitude7º38'E. The research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of two microbial pesticides: Emamectin benzoate and Beauveria bassiana, two botanical extracts: Karanjin from Pongamia glabra and Azadirachtin (Azadirachta indica), one synthetic insecticide: Lion Guard EC (with Cypermethrin 3% and dimethoate 25%) which served as Standard check. S. calamistis larvae were mass produced in the Insect Rearing Laboratory of the Department of Crop Protection using artificial diet to carry out field infestation. On the field, the treatments involved three maize varieties; Sweet Corn Yellow, Sugar King F2 and SAMMAZ 52 and also the five (5) pesticides with untreated control laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in split plot with three replications on a plots size of 9m2 (3 m x 3 m). Leaf damage, dead hearts, cob damage, exit holes, lodging, stem tunneling and yield ha-1 were measured. The data was subjected to ANOVA using SAS 9.0 and the means were separated using Student Newman Keul’s (SNK). Azadirachtin with 1.53, Karanjin with 2.22, Emamectin 1.48 and B. bassiana 1.42 larval mortality on the field after treatment application. Azadirachtin, Karanjin, Emamectin and B. bassiana reduced dead heart incidence by 46%, 20%, 51% and 52% respectively when compared with control in which 60% dead hearts incidence was recorded. Azadirachtin, Emamectin and B. bassiana were very effective in suppressing S. calamistis population, mitigated its ability to cause serious damage to the leaves, hearts, stem and cob of the maize and produced higher when compared with control. Even though Karanjin was less effective than the other three, it was better than control treatment. Azadirachtin can be applied at the rate of 0.44 Lha-1 and Karanjin at the rate of 0.5 Lha-1 to control of S. calamistis on sweet corn. B. bassiana and Emamectin benzoate can be applied at the rate of 0.25 Kgha-1 and 3 Kgha-1 to manage of S. calamistis.

PENGARUH PUPUK NPK TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL PRODUKSI JAGUNG MANIS (Zea mays saccharata Sturt.) DI LAMPUNG UTARA

Sweet corn (Zea mays saccsharata Sturt.) is one of the plants that is widely produced and a source of food staples in Indonesia, such as processed food, drinks, and so on. The low productivity of sweet corn in North Lampung is caused by the use of excessive doses and the wrong fertilization method. This problem can be overcome by implementing a good cultivation system, including applying fertilization with the right dosage so that plants can produce according to their potential results.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of NPK fertilizer treatment on the growth and yield of sweet corn at the best dose of NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweet corn. This research was conducted experimentally using RAL (Completely Randomized Design). It consists of one factor with 3 levels, namely K0: Control, K1: Giving NPK 150 kg/ha (1.8 kg/plant plot) K2: Giving NPK 300 kg/ha (3.6 kg/plant plot).The results showed that the NPK treatment had a significant effect on plant height at 30 HST. The stem diameter showed a significant effect when the sweet corn was 30 and 45 HST. The number of leaves shows that NPK fertilizer has no real effect. The length of the cobs with husks, the length of the cobs without husks, the weight of the husked cobs, the weight of the cobs without husks and the weight of the stover showed real results. 

The Efficiency of Pest Control Options against Two Major Sweet Corn Ear Pests in China.

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) are the most devastating insect pests at the ear stage of maize, causing significant losses to the sweet corn industry. Pesticide control primarily relies on spraying during the flowering stage, but the effectiveness is inconsistent since larvae are beneath husks within hours to a day, making pesticide treatments simpler to avoid. Insufficient understanding of pest activity patterns impedes precise and efficient pesticide control. H. armigera and O. furnacalis in corn fields were monitored in the last few years in Beijing China, and we observed a higher occurrence of both moths during the R1 stage of sweet corn. Moth captures reached the maximum during this stage, with 555-765 moths per hectare corn field daily. The control efficiency of nine synthetic insecticides and five biopesticides was assessed in the field during this period. Virtako, with mineral oil as the adjuvant, appeared to be the most effective synthetic insecticide, with the efficiencies reaching 88% and 87% on sweet and waxy corn, respectively. Pesticide residue data indicated that the corn is safe after 17 days of its use. The most effective bioinsecticide was Beauveria bassiana combined with mineral oil, with 88% and 80% control efficiency in sweet and waxy corn, respectively. These results suggested that spraying effective insecticides 5 days after corn silking could effectively control corn ear pests H. armigera and O. furnacalis. Our findings provide valuable insights for the development of ear pest management strategies in sweet corn.