How To Grow Sweet Corn From Seed

 

Today sweet corn is one of the most versatile cash crops that are grown all over the world. According to history sweet corn was grown by several Native American tribes. History also told us that the specific time this crop originated cannot be pin-pointed, but other historians also said that the crop was grown by American Indians and it was first collected by Europeans settlers in 1777. This particular crop belongs to a variety of maize with high sugar content. The demand for this crop in the international market is very high. Sweet corn can be used as raw materials by a lot of industries. Some industries use corn as a raw material in producing starch, beverages, alcohol, food cereal, textile, gum, oil, etc.

Furthermore, sweet corn has a lot of health benefit. The following are some of the health benefits of sweet corn.

- Eating sweet corn can help to reduce the risk of Anemia.

- Eating sweet corn can really help to enhance energy.

- Sweet corn can really help to lower blood sugar and cholesterol Level.

- Sweet corn is really helpful during pregnancy.

- Sweet corn helps to preserve the skin.

- Sweet corn helps to improve vision.

- Sweet corn can also help to prevent diabetes.

- Sweet corn helps to remove facial acne scars.

- Sweet corn really helps to delay aging process.

There are a lot of health benefits of sweet corn. Starting commercial sweet corn farming can be very profitable if it is done in a proper way. On this book we are going to discuss everything about sweet corn cultivation.

 

Different varieties of Sweet Corn

Sweet corn has a lot of varieties. The following are some of the varieties of sweet corn.

-         The Aces sweet corn variety: The Aces sweet corn variety is 8 inches tall. This variety is a high quality variety. They can mature in 78 days.

-         The Anthem Xr sweet corn variety: This particular variety is about 8 inches tall. This variety is a bicolor hybrid. The Anthem Xr sweet corn variety can mature in 73 days.

-         The Cabo sweet corn variety: The Cabo sweet corn variety is about 8 inches tall. This particular variety is widely adapted, and it performs very well in most corn-growing regions when it is managed properly. This variety can mature in 78 days.

-         The Latte sweet corn variety: This particular variety is about 7.5 inches to 8 inches tall. The yield potential of this variety is very good. The Latte sweet corn variety can mature in 68 days.

-         The Ranier sweet corn variety: The Ranier sweet corn variety is about 7.75 to 8 inches tall. The yield potential of this variety is very good. This particular variety can mature in 73 days.

-         The SS2742 sweet corn variety: This particular variety is about 7 inches tall. This variety can mature in 75 days.

-         The SV9813SC sweet corn variety: This particular variety is about 8 inches tall. The yield potential of this variety is very good. The SV9813SC sweet corn variety can mature in 79 days.

-         The 08B2084 sweet corn variety: This particular variety is about 7.5 to 8 inches tall. The 08B2084 sweet corn variety is a high yield potential for fresh and wholesale markets. This variety can mature in 80 days.

There are a lot of sweet corn varieties you can cultivate.

 

How to Grow Sweet Corn from Seed

The Climatic requirements for Sweet Corn

One thing about sweet corn is that they can be grown under a wide range of climatic conditions. Although these climatic condition can vary from moderate to cool climates. Actually it is very paramount to note that even distribution of heat units is a key requirement for optimal production of sweet corn.

Make sure the minimum temperature (atmospheric) is 9-14C

Make sure the optimal temperature (atmospheric) is 15-25C

Make sure the maximum temperature (atmospheric) is 32C

Make sure the optimal soil temperature is 14-16° C

 

The soil requirement for sweet corn

One thing about Sweet corn is that they require a well drained loam to sandy loam soils. Although sweet corn can also grow moderately well on a wide range of soil types, but there are certain criteria that have to be satisfied in terms of the soil structure and content to make it commercially viable. The following are some of the factors:

The nutrient composition of the soil.

The compaction of the soil.

The effectiveness of the soil depth.

The soil pH.

The crop rotation.

The herbicide residues.

The water holding capacity of the soil.

The soil preparation for Sweet corn

The good thing about soil preparation is that it improves the potential for profitable production of the sweet corn. The following are some of the advantages of soil preparation:

- It ensures that there are no restrictions on root development.

- It also ensures less chance of compaction.

- Soil preparation ensures more oxygen in the soil and it also create a better root development.

- Soil preparation ensures a higher yield.

- With a good soil preparation there will be a reduction in production costs.

- Soil preparation ensures more vegetative growth.

- With a good soil preparation there will be more tolerance to drought and stress.

- With a good soil preparation there will be less root disease.

- With a good soil preparation there will be a better water retention.

- With a good soil preparation there will be an increased uptake of moisture and nutrients.

In sweet corn farming the choice of preparation systems is actually determined by the plant requirements and the soil type.

As a sweet corn farmer make sure your preparation method is made based on the clay content of the soil.

Don’t forget that the soil preparation should be done to a depth that varying between 200 – 400mm.

 

The planting periods of the Sweet Corn

Without been told sweet corn is known as a tender, warm-season annual crop that is best planted after the soil temperature has reached 60°F. This is usually between two to three weeks after the last frost in spring. One thing about sweet corn is that they require 60 to 100 frost-free days to reach harvest, although it also depends on the variety and the amount of heat during the growing season. One thing about sweet corn is that they grow best in air temperature that is 60° to 95°F. Don’t forget that any sweet corn that is planted in cold, wet soil is unlikely to germinate. One thing about sweet corn seed is that they can germinates in 10 to 14 days at 75°F, although the rate of germination may reach only 75 percent.

 

The planting and spacing of sweet corn

Try as much as possible to sow the sweet corn 1 to 1½ inches deep. Again make sure you plant the sweet corn seeds 2 to 4 inches apart in short, side-by-side rows to form a block. Also you can still grow several sweet corn plants on mounds or inverted hills. From my little experience planting in a block or clump will help ensure pollination. Don’t forget to thin the sweet corn plants from 12 to 18 inches apart for short varieties, while for tall varieties it should be 18 to 24 inches apart. This must be done once plants are 4 to 6 inches tall. Don’t forget that any sweet corn planted too closely will actually require more water and fertilizer and they may offer a smaller yield.

 

The Fertilization of sweet corn

Try as much as possible to use about two to three pounds of fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, for every 100 square feet of the farm. Make sure you spread the fertilizer over the soil and also work it into the soil three to four inches deep. Also make sure you rake the soil to smooth the surface.

 

The watering of the sweet corn

Try as much as possible to keep the sweet corn evenly moist and regularly watered. One thing about sweet corn is that they grow fast in hot weather and they require an even supply of moisture to avoid wilting. Try as much as possible to avoid overhead watering particularly when tassels appear. If the water is hitting the tassels at the time of pollination it can reduce the number of kernels on a cob.

 

Weed control in sweet corn

One of the best ways to control weed in sweet corn is to carry out a proper field selection and early field cultivation, this will help to terminate most of the weeds. Although you can still use pre-emergent and post emergent herbicides that are registered on sweet corn and maize. Try as much as possible to be very careful when using maize herbicides as some can affect the growth of the sweet corn. Another method of controlling weed in sweet corn is mechanical cleaning with tillers and the application of side dressed fertilizer which is done along side with the tilling process. Try as much as possible to make sure that weeds do not become problematic, as this may causes competition between weeds and the corn seedlings. Don’t also forget that over weeded lands can easily harbor some serious pests and diseases like bollworm and leaf hoppers which may aid the spread of maize streak virus. Try and make sure that the cultivators are not working too deep into the soil, because this may actually damage the shallow root system of the sweet corn plant.

 

Pest and disease control in sweet corn

Sweet corn plant is like any other plants that also face some pest and disease challenges. The following are some of the pest and disease that attack sweet corn.

-         The Anthracnose disease in sweet corn:

The symptoms: what you will observe is a small oval or elongated water-soaked spots which will enlarge up to 15 mm long, which will appear on the leaves. You will see the lesions developing a tan center and red-brown or orange border. Another thing again is that lesions may coalesce to form large necrotic patches.

The Cause: Fungus

How to manage and control it: Try to plant hybrids resistant varieties. Make sure you rotate crops and also plow crop debris into the soil, this will really help to reduce the incidence of early season infections.

 

-         The Cercospora leaf spot disease in sweet corn:

The symptoms: What you will observe is a small necrotic spots with chlorotic halos on the leaves which will expand to a rectangular lesion 1-6 cm in length and 2-4 mm wide. With time goes on as the lesions mature they will turn tan in color and finally become gray.

The cause: Fungus

How to manage and control it: Try as much as possible to plant a sweet corn hybrids that is resistance to the disease. Make sure you rotate crop and plow debris into the soil, this will help to reduce the levels of inoculums in the soil but may not provide control in areas where the disease is prevalent. You can also apply foliar fungicides.

 

-         The charcoal rots disease in sweet corn:

The Symptoms: What you will observe is that the plant stalks will become shredded and the pith will completely rotted with stringy strands of vascular tissue that is left intact. You will see the fungus growing into internodes causing the sweet corn plant to ripen very early and also causing the stalk to weaken. The sweet corn plant may also break.

The cause: fungus

How to manage and control it: One thing about this disease is that there is no current fungicide available to treat the disease. Try as much as possible to avoid stressing the sweet corn plants by practicing good water management. Make sure you rotate the crops with small grains, this will help to reduce the disease incidence.

 

-         The Common rust disease in sweet corn:

The symptoms: What you will observe is an oval or elongated cinnamon brown pustule on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. You will see the pustules turning dark brown-black as they mature and they will release a dark brown powdery spore.

The cause: fungus

How to manage and control it: One of the most effective ways of controlling the disease is to plant resistant hybrids. You can still apply the appropriate fungicides to reduce the severity of the disease.

 

-         The Common smut disease in sweet corn:  

The symptoms: What you will observe is a tumor-like gall on the sweet corn plant tissues which are initially green-white or silvery white in color. Another thing you will observe is that the interior of galls will darken and turn into masses of powdery dark brown or black spores.

The Cause: Fungus

How to manage and control it: There are actually a lot practice that are recommended for the control of this disease, but one of the most effective way of controlling this disease is to grow a resistant sweet corn hybrids.

 

-         The Downy Mildew disease in sweet corn:

The symptoms: This particular disease usually appears as from two weeks after sowing, which usually result in chlorosis and stunting. For the older sweet corn plants the leaves will be showing mottling, chlorotic streaking and lesions and white striped leaves.

The cause: Fungus

How to manage and control it: Try as much as possible to grow the available resistant varieties and hybrids. Make sure you try and follow crop rotation with non host crops. Try as much as possible to use a suitable systemic fungicide for both seed treatment and foliar spray. Try as much as possible to keep the fields free from weeds. Make sure you dry the seeds before sowing, this will help to reduce the incidence of the disease.

 

-         The Giberrella stalk and ear rot disease in sweet corn:

The symptoms: What you will observe is that the sweet corn plants will be wilting and the leaves will be changing color from light to dull green. You will see the lower stalk turning straw yellow. You will also see the internal stalk tissue breaking down.

The cause: Fungus

How to manage and control it:  One of the ways to control this disease is by providing adequate fertilization and irrigation, this can really help to reduce the incidence of the disease. Try as much as possible to control insects, most especially stem and ear borers.

 

-         The Fall armyworm in sweet corn:

The symptoms: What you will observe is a singular, or closely grouped circular to irregularly shaped holes in foliage. There will be heavy feeding by young larvae which will lead to the destruction of the leaves. You will see a shallow, dry wound on the fruit.

The cause: Insects

How to manage and control it: One of the ways of controlling armyworm is through organic methods which involve biological control through natural enemies which parasitize the larvae. You can still apply Bacillus thuringiensis.

 

-         The Flea beetles in sweet corn:

The symptoms: What you will observe is a small holes or pits in the leaves that will give the foliage a characteristic “shithole” appearance. You will see the plant growth reducing. In some case if the damage is very severe the sweet corn plant may die.

The cause: Insects

How to manage and control it: One of the ways to control this insect is to plant seeds early to allow establishment before the beetles become a problem. The mature sweet corn plants are less susceptible to damage. You can also apply the insecticides that contain carbaryl, spinosad, bifenthrin and permethrin, this can actually provide an adequate control of the beetles for up to a week. You still need to reapply it again.