A number of genes affect sweetness in corn. These are recessive mutants of the starchy gene found in field corn (Su) and their modifiers, and other genes. Normal sweet corn has the recessive mutant of field corn (su). Modifiers and other genes include the sugary-extender gene (se) and the supersweet or shrunken gene (sh2). These make up three major genetic classes of importance in commercial production :

1. Normal sugary (susu) corn is the standard corn grown for processing and much of the fresh market. Sugar content at normal maturity is 5-10 percent. The seed germinates well at 55-60 F.

2. Sugary enhanced (sese) corn results in increased sugar levels, in the range of 12-20 percent. Heterozygous sugary enhanced (Sese) runs 7-15 percent. Kernels are very tender with good "corn" flavor. Seed germinates well at temperatures of 55-60 F.

3. Super sweet or extra sweet (sh2) corn produces kernels with two to three times the complex sugars of the standard corn varieties (20-30 percent). Texture is crispy rather than creamy as with the standard and enhanced varieties. Fresh market shelf life is extended because of the slower conversion of sugars to starch after harvest. Seed kernels are smaller, lighter in weight and shrunken in appearance (giving the gene the name "shrunken").

XENIA:

Xenia effects are pollen-induced changes in kernels of sweetcorn apparent on the harvested ears. Some of these changes may be intended and beneficial. These changes are of most concern when they result in a loss of cob or kernel quality by adversely changing kernel color, kernel weight, embryo weight, soluble solids percent, kernel moisture, or cause other undesirable direct and indirect effects. A number of ways to manage xenia effects are used. The main method is by isolation of the different genotypes. Consult sections on isolation below.

VARIETIES (approximately 70 days for early and 100 days for main season varieties in the Willamette Valley, warmer areas, 7-10 days less).

Processor specifies varieties. Some of the more common varieties for processing are:

YELLOW KERNELS

Super Sweet (sh2)
Early: Sheba, Krispy King
Main season: Supersweet Jubilee, Challenger, Crisp 'N Sweet 710, Zenith.

Sugary enchanced (su,se): very limited production.

WHITE KERNELS

BICIOLOR KERNELS

NOTE: Kernel quality of all the above varieties may be dramatically altered under certain pollination conditions. See the sections below on "Genetic types" and "Isolation".

GENETIC TYPES:

The threee genetic classes mentioned above are categorized into 6 major sugar-mutant types. Other categories exist, but are not of commercial importance. These may be represented by yellow, white, or bi-color varieties.

The following table modified from a paper by J.W. Courter and others, describes these table corn types and classifies them into categories for isolation purposes:

ISOLATION     DESCRIPTIVE              HOMOZYGOUS RECESSIVE     VARIETY
  CLASS       TERMINOLOGY                 "SUGAR" GENES         EXAMPLES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I      Field, dent, or flour corn              none           Field corn cvs

II*a  Sugary or standard sweet corn             su            Jubilee (yel)
                                                            Double Taste (bi)
                                                            Silver Queen (wh)

II*b     Sugary augmented with                su se       Kandy Korn EH (yel)
         sugary enhancer; or               heterozygous      D'Artagnan (bi)
             "EH" types                                      Silverado (wh)

                                              su se           Miracle (yel)
                                            homozygous      Calico Bell (bi)
                                                               (no whites)

II*c     Sugary augmented with               su sh-2        Sugar Loaf (yel)
           shrunken-2; or                  heterozygous      (no bicolors)
        "SWEET gene HYBRID", or                               (no whites)
           "Synergistics"

III**a   Shrunken-2, supersweets               sh-2      Crisp N Sweet 710 (y)
         or "Xtra-Sweet" hybrids                         Honey and Pearl (bi)
                                                         How Sweet It Is (wh)

III**b   Shrunken-2 augmented with           sh-2 su        Sweetie 82 (yel)
           sugary; or "Improved            heterozygous      (no bicolors)
            Supersweet Hybrid"                               (no whites)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

** Class III contains varieties homozygous only for sh2 (IIIa) as well as those homozygous sh2 cultivars with additional heterozygous recessive genes such as su (IIIb), since cross pollination of such cultivars will still produce sh2 kernels (supersweet corn).

For an excellent discussion of the origin, biology, production, and uses of sweet corn and other forms of maize, see Iowa State University's The Maize Page.

ISOLATION

A recommended isolation distance, in feet, is given in the following table for the different classes of corn. Popcorn and ornamental Indian corn should be considered as two additional, separate, isolation classes.

White-kernel varieties must be isolated from all other corn by 500 feet or more.

                             ISOLATION DISTANCE RECOMMENDED (ft.)
                           -----------------------------------------
     ISOLATION CLASS        I     IIa     IIb     IIc    IIIa   IIIb
              I             0     250     250     250     250    250

    ISOLATION CLASS          I    IIa     IIb     IIc    IIIa   IIIb
             IIa           250      0      50      50     250    250
             IIb           250     50       0      50     250    250
             IIc           250     50      50       0     250    250
            IIIa           250    250     250     250       0     50
            IIIb           250    250     250     250      50      0

An isolation distance of 50 feet is given whenever outcrossing is not very detrimental but could result in flavor, texture, and the starch content of the outcrossed kernels to be no different than the non-augmented type (sugary in class II and supersweet in class III).

Isolation is necessary from two points of view, color and kernel quality (sugars and texture). Since colored kernels in white varieties are very obvious, a 500 foot or more isolation distance is recommended between white and colored varieties. A two week difference in silking may also be used, but is less reliable. For isolation regarding kernel quality considerations the following is recommended:

Supersweet corn varieties and other new types of corn requiring isolation from standard sweet types (discussed above in the "VARIETIES" section) should be isolated based on their Isolation Class categorization. The use of 2-4 border rows helps minimize contamination in all situations described below. Isolation may be accomplished in three ways, by distance, time of pollination, and blocking. Isolation by distance is the preferred method.

Isolation by distance

Observations at Oregon State University over several seasons indicate that if no isolation is used between standard sweet (Isolation Class II) and supersweet types (Isolation Class III), outcrossing of kernels in adjacent rows, and extending for 6 to 10 rows into each type, is high enough to render the ears from these rows unsalable. This outcrossing can result in over 50% of the kernels on ears in adjacent rows being starchy. Outcrossing drops off rapidly beyond 10 rows, until at about 100 feet, only up to 1% of kernels (up to 4 kernels per ear) may be starchy. This level of outcrossing is probably not discernible by fresh market buyers or consumers. Processing companies, however, may have different requirements for isolation.

Where large plantings are made for fresh market production, a distance of 250 feet is recommended between Isolation Classes I, II, and III. Where isolation of fields is convenient, maximum isolation would not need to exceed 600 feet, which is a conservative assumption based on distances used for seed production, where isolation is even more important.

Whenever practical:

1. Locate supersweet varieties (Isolation Class III) upwind of varieties in all other isolation classes since outcrossed kernels may be more apparent in the supersweet ears.
2. Mechanically top standard sweet plantings, of the variety Jubilee, two leaves above the top ear after the silks have turned brown, and before nearby supersweet plantings begin to silk. Topping an earlier nearby supersweet planting, or a standard sweet variety other than Jubilee would also be helpful, but timing and the effect of topping on yields of supersweet corn, and other standard sweet varieties, have not been researched adequately. Unacceptable reductions in yield have been observed in limited research on topping of other varieties (see also section on TOPPING below).
3. In small sequential plantings, plant all varieties of one Isolation Class (I, II, OR III) together in a block located 250 feet or more from a block containing sequential plantings of varieties of any other Isolation Class. For best quality results, varieties of different subclasses (IIa, IIb, OR IIc) should be isolated 50 feet from other subclasses within the same Isolation Class.

Isolation by time of pollination

1. The later planting must not be planted based on calendar day difference, but rather on growth stage or heat units. Specifics on this need to be obtained from the individual seed company regarding their variety. The maturity difference between the two types of corn has to also be figured into the planting date difference. Assuming the standard sweet (Isolation Class II) and supersweet (Isolation Class III) varieties have the same maturity (days from seeding to pollination), delay planting the other Isolation Class of corn until the first planting has 8 or more leaves, or 300 or more heat units (base 50 F) have elapsed.
2. To obtain an effective two to three week spread at pollination, the early planting must germinate uniformly or late germinating plants may cause problems.
3. Whenever possible, mechanically top the early planting just before the later one begins to silk (CAUTION, see section on TOPPING below). Fresh market growers may choose to hand-top the late flowering plants or suckers in 10 or 20 rows adjacent to the later planting. Be especially careful of late-flowering suckers in these rows.

Isolation by blocking

SOILS AND SOIL TEMPERATURE

A wide variety of soils are suitable. It is important that the soil be well drained and well supplied with organic matter. The optimum pH range is 5.8 to 7.0.

The optimum soil temperature range for germination is over 60 F. This is especially true for the super sweet and improved super sweet varieties where germination may be drastically reduced under cool soil conditions. Sweet corn takes about 20 days to emerge from 50 F soils, but only about 5 days to emerge at 70 F. Soil temperature is one factor in scheduling plantings.

SEED AND SEED TREATMENT

Sweet corn seed numbers approximately 120-180 per ounce. About 10-15 lb are used per acre. Use only seed treated with fungicides and insecticides. Some seed companies are now offering super sweet varieties with specially coated, sized seed, intended to improve stand establishment.

Research indicates that seed shape and size are related to emergence and stand establishment and performance. In normal sweet corn, flat seed perform better than round, and in both classes, high density seeds perform better than those of lower density.

When planting supersweet varieties, large differences in seed vigor occur between different varieties, particularly under cool, wet or compacted soil conditions. The difference in performance is not apparant from germination information on the identification tags.

SEEDING

For early fresh-market standard varieties, seeding may start as soon as soil temperature reaches 60 F. In western Oregon, this is generally about the end of April, and planting extends through June. In eastern Oregon, depending on location, planting may start about 2 weeks earlier and may extend into mid July. Care should be taken that sweet corn is planted after the danger of spring frost has passed.

Use 10-15 lb/acre of seed, depending on the variety and seed size. Seeding at a depth of l-2 inches is generally satisfactory. Shallow planting (1/2 inch) and maintenance of high soil moisture is recommended where head smut may be a problem, and for supersweet types. For processing, recommended stands are 26,000 to 27,000/A but where large ear size is important, stands should be between 20,000 and 25,000 per acre.

A rough planting schedule that would provide about 10-14 days between mid season peak harvests between plantings would be to wait till most of the plants in the previous planting had 3 leaves before making the next planting.

SPACING

Plant quick-growing, small stature varieties in rows approximately 30 inches apart, and 6-8 inches in the rows. Vigorous tall-growing varieties should be grown in rows 30-36 inches apart, 9-12 inches between plants. Processing varieties should be planted according to the row spacing and rate required by the processor.

FERTILIZER

Good management practices are essential if optimum fertilizer responses are to be realized. These practices include use of recommended varieties, selection of adapted soils, weed control, disease and insect control, good seed bed preparation, proper seeding methods, and timely harvest.

An early irrigation when corn is about 6 inches tall will ensure most efficient utilization of banded fertilizer.

Recommended soil sampling procedures should be followed in order to estimate fertilizer needs. The Oregon State University Extension Service agent in your county can provide you with soil sampling instructions and information sheets.

The fertilizer applications suggested in this guide are based on a population of 25,000 to 30,000 plants/A. Fertilizer rates can be adjusted proportionately up or down when plant population and predicted yield deviate from these values.

A soil test is the most accurate guide to fertilizer requirements. The following are general guidelines:

Eastern Oregon:

NITROGEN (N)

Sweet corn requires a good supply of available N. An optimum response to N fertilization depends on adequate irrigation. An irrigation when corn is 12-18 inches tall will insure most efficient utilization of banded fertilizer.

Part (40-60 lb/A) of the N should be banded at planting time. The remainder may be applied before planting and/or during the growing season before tasseling, particularly where leaching is likely to be a problem.

If the band application of N exceeds 60 lb/A, there is danger of seedling injury from the concentration of salt.

Fertilizer salt injury can be reduced by using two rather than one fertilizer bands, not banding too close to the seed, and immediate irrigation of dry soil. Salt injury is likely to be greater in sandy soil compared to finer textured soil and in dry compared to moist soil. The urea or diammonium phosphate forms of N may cause seedling injury if banded close to the seed at planting, especially where the soil pH exceeds 7.0.

Amount of N fertilizer required depends on the following factors:

The preceding crop; the N carry-over from the previous crop; the amount and type of residue to be plowed under; and possible leaching losses due to over-irrigation.

The following fertilizer guides are for mineral soils with low organic matter content.

Eastern Oregon N Fertilizer Guide Based on Soil Test

The amount of residual N in the soil varies considerably. A soil test for nitrate-N helps in evaluating the N carry-over from the previous crops in the case of mineral soils with low organic matter content. Soil samples for nitrate-N should be taken following a growing season and before the application of N fertilizer.

Soil samples should be taken from 0 to 2-foot and 2 to 5-foot depths on deep soils. The soil samples should consist of soil cores removed from the entire 0 to 2 and 2 to 5-foot sections of the soil profile. On soils shallower than 5 feet, soil samples should be taken from 0 to 2 feet and from 2 feet to the expected rooting depth.

OSU soil test results for N are reported in ppm. One ppm N in a 1-foot depth of soil equals about 4 lb N/acre. As an example:

                   Soil depth              Nitrate-N
                     (ft)               (ppm)    (lb/A)
                     0 - 2                4        32
                     2 - 5                3        36
                                          Total 68 lb/A

                                   After*         After
              Nitrate-N Soil**   non-legume    beans, peas
                Test (lb/A)         crop        or alfalfa
                      0             300            250
                     50             250            200
                    100             200            150
                    150             150            100
                    200             100             50
                    250              50              0
                    300               0              0

Should the soil test value for nitrate-N be less than 2 ppm in the 0 to 2-foot soil depth, apply a minimum of 30 lb N/A regardless of the soil test value for N below 2 feet. This application is to ensure adequate initial growth of plants.

PHOSPHORUS (P)

Phosphorus is essential for vigorous early growth of seedlings. All of the P should be banded 2 inches to the side and 2 inches below the seed at planting.

          If soil test*                   Band this amount** of
        for P reads (ppm)                phosphate (P2O5) (lb/A)
             0 -  5                            100 - 150
             5 - 12***                           0 - 100

POTASSIUM (K)

Potassium should be broadcast and plowed down before planting.

        If the soil test*                 Apply this amount of
        for K reads (ppm):                 potash (K2O) (lb/A)
            0 - 100                            150 - 200
          100 - 150                            100 - 150
          150 - 200                              0 - 100

SULFUR (S)

Plants absorb S in the form of sulfate. Fertilizer materials supply S in the form of sulfate and elemental S. Elemental S must convert to sulfate ion in the soil before the S becomes available to plants. The conversion of elemental S to sulfate is usually rapid for fine ground (less than 40 mesh) material in warm moist soil.

Elemental S should be applied the year preceding the crop using finely ground (less than 40 mesh) material. Elemental S is a strong soil acidifier. Sulfur in the sulfate form can be applied at planting time.

           If soil test* for           Apply this amount of S**
           SO4-S in the 0-2'                  in lb/acre:
         soil depth reads (ppm)       Loamy soil     Sandy soil***
              0 - 2                     20 - 30         30 - 40
              2 - 5                      0 - 20         20 - 30
              5 - 8                       None           0 - 20

Sulfur requirements will vary with soil texture, leaching losses and the soil parent material. Sulfur is frequently contained in fertilizers used to supply other nutrients such as N, P, and K and may be present in irrigation water which can be tested for S content.

ZINC (Zn)

Sweet corn has a relatively high requirement for Zn. An application of Zn is suggested when the Zn soil test value is below 0.8 ppm. Where Zn is required, either 10 lb Zn/A should be broadcast and worked into the soil before planting or 3 to 4 lb Zn/A should be banded with the fertilizer at planting time. An application of 10 lb Zn/A should supply Zn needs for 2 or 3 years.

To correct Zn deficiency during the growing season thoroughly wet plants with a solution containing 1 lb Zn in 50 to 100 gal of water.

BORON (B)

Responses of sweet corn to B have not been observed in eastern Oregon. Where the soil test value for B is below 0.4 ppm trial applications of B are suggested.

OTHER NUTRIENTS

Responses of sweet corn to other nutrients such as copper and iron have not been observed in eastern Oregon.

LIME

Responses of sweet corn to lime have not been observed in eastern Oregon; however, where the soil test pH value is less than 5.5 a lime application is suggested. Soil pH should be measured before application of fertilizer.

Where the subsoil is calcareous or has a higher pH deep plowing will reduce surface soil acidity. On sandy soils where soil acidity is most prevalent, one ton of dry 100-score lime raises the pH about 1 unit. In most instances 1 to 1.5 T/A of lime is adequate to correct soil acidity. With silt loam and clay loam soils 2 to 3 T/A of lime respectively will raise soil pH about one unit.

Lime should be mixed into the seedbed at least several weeks before seeding. A lime application is effective over several years. The liming rate is based on 100-score lime.

Salty Soils: The growth of sweet corn will likely be restricted when the soil test value for soluble salts exceeds 4 mmhos/cm.

The eastern Oregon guides are largely based on the results of experiments conducted by Washington State University and observations of growers' fields, and have been quoted and modified from OSU Fertilizer Guide No. FG71.

Western Oregon:

NITROGEN (N):

In contrast to the situation in eastern Oregon (see above), recommendations for N applications to sweet corn in western Oregon are not based on a pre-plant test for soil nitrate content. Leaching of nitrate by the heavy winter rainfall typical of western Oregon usually results in low levels of nitrate in all soils at planting time. As soils warm up and dry, however, mineralization of organic N compounds increases and nitrate levels rise, reflecting cropping history and organic matter content of the soil.

OSU researchers recently modified the pre-sidedress soil nitrate test (PSNT), allowing for a prescription application of N fertilizer. When using the PSNT, most of the fertilizer is applied when the sweet corn crop is about 12 inches tall or about 5 weeks after planting. Many years of commercial-scale on-farm and small-plot research trials indicate that a sweet corn crop requires about 175 lb/acre of available N (soil nitrate-N plus fertilizer N) to carry the crop from the 12-inch stage to harvest. The PSNT allows growers to adjust the amount of N fertilizer applied based on the amount of nitrate present in the soil when the corn is 12 inches tall. Caution: The research in western Oregon that resulted in development of the modified PSNT was carried out exclusively with the variety Jubilee. Other varieties have since been found to require less N for optimal yield and quality.

PROCEDURE:

Band 30 to 50 lb N/acre with P at planting. When the corn is 12 inches tall, collect 12 to 20 soil cores to 12-inch depth from widely scattered locations in the field. If the field is not homogeneous, separate samples will have to be collected to represent the different soil types, previous crop, or other factors that contribute to the lack of homogeneity.

Take the cores midway between rows, avoiding the fertilizer banded at planting. Mix the cores thoroughly and submit a pint of soil to a laboratory for analysis of nitrate-N content. Freeze or air-dry the sample immediately after collection. If the sample is frozen, submit it frozen.

The laboratory result, in parts per million of nitrate-N, is converted to the amount of fertilizer needed by the following formula:

Pounds/acre actual N needed = 175 - [3.6 x ppm nitrate-N]

where 3.6 is a factor for converting ppm nitrate-N in the soil to lb N/acre in the soil. For example, if the PSNT value is 18 ppm, then 175 - [3.6 x 18] = 175 - 65 = 110 lb N/acre that must be applied to ensure adequate N for optimal yield and quality.

CAUTION: In research trials this procedure incorrectly predicted that no additional fertilizer was needed in two out of 30 field-scale tests from 1996 to 1998. Both fields had a sandy or gravelly soil. The PSNT should be used with extreme caution on these soils. The PSNT also incorrectly predicted the need for additional fertilizer in six fields. These situations, however, represent little risk to the grower as the test called for about the amount of N that would have been applied in the absence of a soil test.

Extensive information on the development of the PSNT for western Oregon sweet corn and on the effects of rates of N and cover crops on sweet corn yields and leaching of nitrate-N may be found in the North Willamette Research and Extension Center Special Reports 1993-1994, 1995-1996, and 1997-1998.

In the absence of a PSNT, or on sandy or gravelly soils, total N applications to western Oregon sweet corn may be based on the previous crop, as follows:

Previous                                N application
crop                                         lb/A
 -----------------------------------------------------------
Grain                                       200-225
Vegetables, poor clover or alfalfa          150-175
Good clover or alfalfa                      100-125

About 30-50 lb N/A should be banded with the P fertilizer at planting time. The remainder of the N may be applied before planting and/or during the growing season before plants are 3 feet tall. The later application of N is suggested where there is a potential for leaching such as with early plantings and on sandy or gravelly soils. Nitrogen applications should be completed by the time the corn reaches 3 feet in height as the crop will not be able to effectively use N applied after this time.

If the application of N plus potash (K2O) in the fertilizer band at planting exceeds 90 lb/A, seedling injury may occur dur to the concentration of salt in the banded fertilizer.

Fertilizer salt injury can be reduced by using two rather than one fertilizer band, not banding too close to the seed, and immediate irrigation if soil is dry. Salt injury is likely to be greater in sandy soil compared to finer textured soil and in dry soil compared to moist soil.

PHOSPHORUS (P)

Phosphorus is essential for vigorous early growth of seedlings. All of the P should be banded 2 to 3 inches to the side and 2-3 inches below the seed when planting. Response is greatest from bands properly placed at 2 x 2 inches.

            If the soil test*                 Apply this amount of
            for P reads (ppm):              phosphate (P2O5) (lb/A):
                  0 - 15                           120 - 150
                 15 - 50                            80 - 120
                 Over 50                            60 -  80

These P recommendations assume that the soil pH is 5.8 or higher and that corn is planted by mid-May. Reduce P rates by 1/3 for June plantings. When soil pH is below 5.6 and lime is not applied, P rates should be increased.

POTASSIUM (K)

Potassium should be broadcast and plowed down before planting or banded when planting. Not more than 60 lb/A of K2O should be banded. The total of N + K2O in the fertilizer band should not exceed 90 lb/A.

                   If the soil test*      Apply this amount of
                  for K reads (ppm):       potash (K2O) (lb/A)
                      0 - 100                  100 - 150
                    100 - 200                   50 - 100
                    Over  200                     None

SULFUR (S)

Plants absorb S in the form of sulfate. Fertilizer materials supply S in the form of sulfate and elemental S. Elemental S must convert to sulfate in the soil before the S becomes available to plants. The conversion of elemental S to sulfate is usually rapid for fine ground (less than 40 mesh) material in warm, moist soil.

The S requirements of sweet corn can be provided by:

1. The application of 15-20 lb/A of S in the form of sulfate at planting time.
2. Applying 30-40 lb/A of S as fine ground elemental S the preceding year.
3. Applying coarser ground elemental S at higher rates and less frequently.

MAGNESIUM (Mg)

Magnesium applications are recommended when soil test values for Mg are below 1.0 meq Magnesium/100g of soil or when the calcium (Ca) soil test value is more than 10 times the Mg value.

Band 10 to 15 lb Mg/A when planting. If deficiency symptoms appear, spray with 10 lb/A of Epsom salts in 100 gal water.

Magnesium can also be supplied in dolomite, which is a liming material that reduces soil acidity to about the same degree as ground limestone. Dolomite should be mixed into the seedbed several weeks in advance of seeding.

BORON (B)

No consistent responses of sweet corn to the application of B have been observed in western Oregon. Where the soil test value for B is below 0.25 ppm, growers may wish to make a trial application of 2 lb/A of B.

Too much B fertilizer can be highly toxic; therefore, suggested rates of B application should not be exceeded and B should be evenly distributed over the field and not be banded at planting.

Boron and fertilizer materials should be thoroughly mixed when B application is combined with other fertilizers.

ZINC (Zn)

The application of Zn has increased the yield of sweet corn in the Stayton area especially on the gravelly, dark-colored soils.

             If the soil test*                Apply this amount
            for Zn reads (ppm)                  of Zn in lb/A
               less than 1              3 - 4 banded; or 10 broadcast
                  Over 1                               0

When the soil test is below 1 ppm Zn, a response to Zn is expected on all soils.When the soil test is between 1 and 1.5 ppm Zn a response to Zn is expected on most soils in the Stayton area.

Where Zn is required, either 10 lb Zn/A should be broadcast and worked into the soil prior to planting or 3 to 4 lb Zn/A should be banded with the fertilizer at planting time. A broadcast application of 10 lb Zn/A should supply Zn needs for 2 or 3 years.

OTHER MICRONUTRIENTS

Responses of sweet corn to nutrients other than those discussed in this guide have not been observed in western Oregon.

LIME

Experimental work has shown that sweet corn will produce good yields over a fairly wide range of soil acidity. Lime applications are suggested when the soil pH is below 5.8 or when calcium (Ca) levels are below 5 meq Ca/100g of soil. The rate of lime application can be estimated from the following OSU lime requirement table:

                  If the SMP Buffer*          Apply this amount
                 test for lime reads            of lime (T/A):
                      Below 5.6                     4 - 5
                      5.6 - 5.8                     3 - 4
                      5.8 - 6.0                     2 - 3
                      6.0 - 6.3                     1 - 2
                       Over 6.3                      None

Lime should be mixed into the soil at least several weeks before planting and preferably the previous fall. A lime application is effective over several years.

Some soils may have a fairly high SMP buffer value (over 6.2) and a low pH (below 5.3). This condition can be caused by the application of acidifying fertilizer. In this case the low pH value is temporary and the pH of the soil will increase as the fertilizer completes its reaction with the soil. This temporary "active" acidity from fertilizer is encountered following recent applications of most nitrogen fertilizer materials. Acidifying fertilizers also have a long term acidifying effect on soil which is cumulative and leads to lower SMP buffer readings.

Sandy soils to which fertilizers have not been recently applied sometimes record low pH and high SMP buffer values. In such cases, a light application of lime (1 to 2 T/A) should suffice to neutralize soil acidity.

For acid soils low in magnesium (less than 1.0 meq magnesium/100 g soil), 1 T/A of dolomite lime can be used as a Mg source. Dolomite and ground limestone have about the same ability to neutralize soil acidity.

Fertilizer Guide #3, "Liming Materials for Oregon," which is available from your local OSU Extension Office, provides additional information on lime.

Phosphorus, K, Mg, B, Zn, and lime suggestions are based on soil test values from the Central Analytical Laboratory, OSU, Corvallis, Oregon.

These guides to fertilization are largely based on the results of experiments conducted by Horticulture and Crop and Soil Science Department scientists of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station and are quoted from O.S.U. Fertilizer Guide FG11.

NUTRIENT SUFFICIENCY LEVELS FOR SWEET CORN

Data from the midwest indicates the following sufficiency levels for sweetcorn based on growth stage (from the National Corn Handbook, NCH-43):

Nutrient Sufficiency Levels in Sweet Corn

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth   Plant Part    N    P    K   Ca    Mg    S    Fe   B   Zn  Mn  Mo
stage      sampled
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 inch  Whole plant  3.5  0.4  3.0  0.3  0.30  0.2   50   7   20  50 0.3
Silk     Ear leaf     2.8  0.3  1.8  0.3  0.25  0.2   60   6   20  25 0.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Levels below these values are considered low or deficient.  Levels above
these values are considered high or excessive.

The above values should be used as guides only for diagnostic purposes. The values may differ for different varieties.

IRRIGATION

For western Oregon 12-14 inches of water provides optimum yields and ear size. In eastern Oregon 25-28 inches may be needed depending on seasonal variation, variety and planting date. Approximate summer irrigation needs for the Hermiston area of eastern Oregon have been found to be: 3.5 inches in May, 5.0 in June, 7.5 in July, and 7.0 in August.

Soil type does not affect the amount of total water needed, but does dictate frequency of water application. Lighter soils need more frequent water applications, but less water applied per application.

Sweet corn is often grown with furrow irrigation in eastern Oregon. Water soluble polyacrylamide (PAM) is useful for flocculating soil particles in irrigation furrows and reducing erosion of soil from the furrow.

Automated lateral-moved tower systems and continuous-move big gun systems are used effectively. Increased use of large center pivot systems (those covering over 40 acres), in the Willamette Valley may be contributing to production problems. This is especially so with low pressure systems. Problems are caused by water application rates along the outer portions of the circles which exceed soil infiltration rates. This causes surface ponding and increased risk from soil erosion. Also, prolonged periods of soil wetness resulting from necessary frequent water applications, increases the probability of soil compaction from cultivation or other mechanical operations when the soil is wet. Systems larger than 40 acres should be restricted to soils with appropriate infiltration rates (generally 0.5 inches per hour or more). Such soils are not common in western Oregon.

To facilitate movement of irrigation pipe at the last irrigation/s, expedite harvest, and to reduce lodging, corn may be topped after pollination is completed (see section on TOPPING).

Sweet Corn Water Use
The following crop water use and irrigation management information is from the OSU Sweet Corn Irrigation Guide developed by M. Hess, J. Smesrud and John Selker (Dept. of Bioresource Engineering) and N.S. Mansour:

Total Seasonal Evapotranspiration (inches)	18.8	
Peak Evapotranspiration Rate (inches/day)	0.22	
Maximum Allowable Depletion (percent)	        50	
Critical Moisture Deficit Period	        silking to harvest	

The use of big guns and center pivot systems is common in corn due to difficulties in moving pipe as fields approach maturity. When using big guns, it is critical to pay close attention to the uniformity of water application which decreases with increasing set spacing. With center pivot systems on the other hand, it is excessive application rates near the edges of the circle which tend to be problematic in the fine-texured soils of Western Oregon. High application rates promote surface sealing and runoff of irrigation water, thus shorting the crop of needed soil moisture.

The peak water use for sweet corn, which occurs in July, is approximately 0.22 inches per day. On most soils, weekly irrigation during the peak is adequate. With sandy and sandy loam soils, however, irrigation may be required as frequently as every three days.

References:
1. Sanders, D.C. 1993. Vegetable Crop Irrigation, Leaflet No: 33-E (North Carolina State University, Raleigh).

TOPPING

Corn is sometimes topped to facilitate movement of hand carried irrigation pipe through the fields, expedite harvest, and to reduce danger of lodging. Topping is done by special high clearance machines that use rotary cutting blades.

Top corn when pollination is completed (2/3 to 3/4 of silks of top ears begin to turn brown), and leave 2-3 leaves above the top ear, otherwise yields will be unacceptably reduced. Topping at the correct time may still result in up to a 10% yield reduction but this is usually compensated for by better irrigation, expeditious harvest, and reduction in lodging. This topping information has been developed for the variety Jubilee. Other varieties may have yields seriously depressed by topping (Stylepak), or may have silks that do not turn brown after pollination, making this timing indicator unsuitable.

HARVESTING, HANDLING, AND STORAGE

In western Oregon, sweetcorn harvest ranges from about early August to mid-October. The prime harvest season is from about August 25 to the end of September.

In eastern Oregon harvest ranges from about mid-July to the end of October with the prime harvest season being from about the first of August to the end of September.

Sweetcorn yields can range widely. Processing sweetcorn average yield is approximately 9 tons/acre with good yields about 12-14 tons/acre.

For optimum quality and returns, harvest of standard sugary (su) and sugary-extender (se) varieties begins when kernels reach 70-75% moisture. Supersweet (sh2) varieties have a much higher sugar content than su or se varieties and maintain their sugar content longer after harvest. They are usually harvested at 77-78% moisture.

Kernel moisture drops approximately 0.5% per day in normal sweet and sugary extender corn varieties with considerable variation depending on season and variety. Kernel moisture of supersweet (sh2) varieties changes at a slower rate. All sweetcorn, regardless of type, requires immediate cooling and refrigerated transport and handling. Corn intended for processing should be protected from overheating and delivered to the processor as soon as possible.

Limited Oregon research data indicate that there is approximately a 0.356 tons per acre increase in yield for each decrease in 1% kernel moisture, with considerable variation depending on season and cultivar (ranging from 0.173 to 0.792 T/A over 5 seasons and 9 varieties). Supersweet (sh2) varieties averaged 0.700 T/A increase per 1% kernel moisture drop (ranging from 0.225 to 1.011 T/A over 2 seasons and 7 varieties).

Percent cut-off increased approximately 1.04% for normal and se sweet corn and 2.03% for sh2 supersweets per 1% drop in kernel moisture, depending on season and cultivar (ranging from 0.04% to 1.85% for normal and sugary-extender varieties to 1.12% to 3.38% for sh2 superweets).

Self-propelled and tractor-pulled harvesters are available from several manufacturers. These come in single-row or multiple-row units of up to 8 rows. For fresh market corn harvest some of the harvesters have to be slightly modified so that they do not damage the butt portion of the ear. These modifications are generally easily made, and usually offered as options from the manufacturer.

STORAGE (Quoted or modified from USDA Ag. Handbook 66 and other sources)

Sweetcorn for processing is not normally stored. Where temporary holding is intended, hold sweet corn at 32 F and 95 to 98 % relative humidity. Storage for more than a few days results in serious deterioration and loss of tenderness and sweetness. The sugar content, which so largely determines quality in corn and which decreases rapidly at ordinary temperatures, decreases less rapidly if the corn is kept at about 32 F. The loss of sugar is about four times as rapid at 50 F as at 32 F. At 85 F, 60 % of the sugars may be converted to starch in a single day as compared with only 6 % at 32 F. However, corn loses sweetness or desirable flavor fairly rapidly, even when iced and held at 32 F. Long shanks and flag leaves should be trimmed before marketing, as they induce denting of the kernels by drawing moisture from them. Denting is an indication of loss of quality. A loss of 2 % moisture from sweet corn may result in objectionable kernel denting.

Rapid removal of field heat from sweet corn, when at 86 F or higher, is especially critical to retard deterioration. Maximum quality retention can be obtained by precooling corn to near 32 F with an hour after harvest and holding ears at 32 F. In practice cooling to this extent is rarely achieved. However, cooling is the first step in a good temperature management program. Sweet corn has a high respiration rate, which results in a high rate of heat evolution.

Sweet corn can be precooled adequately by vacuum cooling, but it must be wetted first (and top iced after vacuum cooling). It is important to check cob temperatures during hydrocooling to determine if temperatures are being lowered to at least 50 F. Hydrocooling nomographs for bulk and crated sweet corn are available. Many hydrocoolers can handle bins or palletized crates.

These coolers, with overhead spray nozzles, can be effective if they use a large volume of water and allow an hour or more of operation. After hydrocooling, icing is desirable during transport or holding to hasten continued cooling, remove the heat of respiration, and keep the husks fresh. When precooling facilities are not available, corn can be cooled with package ice and top ice.

Sweet corn should not be handled in bulk unless copiously iced, because it tends to heat throughout the pile. Corn should not be expected to keep in marketable condition even in cold storage at 32 F for more than 5 to 8 days. The storage life at 40 F is about 3 to 5 days and at 50 F about 2 days.

Use of controlled atmospheres to extend storage offers little promise. Research has shown that injurious atmospheres contain less than 2 % oxygen or more than 20 % carbon dioxide. In an atmosphere with 2 % oxygen, the sucrose content of sweet corn remained higher than in other atmospheres tested.

Some of the new, high-sugar sweet corn cultivars should improve consumer satisfaction. As compared with standard cultivars, which contain 3 to 5 % sugar at harvest, the new cultivars contain 7 to 10 % sugar and also lose their sweetness more slowly during marketing. Thus, consumers purchasing the sweeter cultivars after several days' storage should get corn with 5 to 6 % sugar as compared with standard cultivars containing only 2 to 3 % sugar after similar post-harvest handling.

ENTERPRISE BUDGET

The following summary information has been taken from the sweet corn enterprise budget developed in 1993 by Bob Lisec, Dan Mc Grath, and Tim Cross, Oregon State University Extension Service: The sweet corn budget estimates total variable costs of $357.14 per acre and total fixed costs of $217.81 per acre, resulting in $574.96 per acre to total cost of production. The break-even price needed to cover variable costs is $39.68 per ton, and the break-even price needed to cover all costs is $63.88 per ton, based on a normal yield of 9 tons per acre. For the complete budget and assumptions used contact one of the above-mentioned authors.