Maturity of Fresh-market Sweet Corn with Direct-seeded Plants, Transplants, Clear Plastic Mulch, and Rowcover Combinations

Abstract

<jats:p>Sweet corn (<jats:italic>Zea mays</jats:italic> L.) growers in the upper midwestern U.S. have used clear plastic mulch to improve early yield and advance crop maturity. Results of this practice have been inconsistent because of early season temperature variability and inadequate information on cultivar adaptation. Our objective was to improve the performance consistency by investigating earliness techniques with the early, sugary-enhancer (<jats:italic>se</jats:italic>) cultivar Temptation planted at two sites. Treatments were bare soil or clear plastic mulch, rowcovers or none, and direct-seeded or transplanted plants. Transplants were produced in the greenhouse in either 50-cell plastic trays or peat pot strips, 2.3 inches × 4.0 inches deep (6 × 10 cm) and were evaluated according to transplant age and cell size. In the cold springs of 1996 and 1997, the use of clear plastic mulch shortened maturity of sweet corn by 1 and 10 days, respectively, for the silt loam site; but no maturity advantage was observed for the loamy sand site. Clear plastic raised the minimum soil temperature by 3.8 to 4.0 °F (2.1 to 2.2 °C) at both sites. The 2-week-old 50-cell tray transplants matured 6 days earlier than the peat pot strip transplants or direct seeded at both locations in 1997. Marketable yield from the transplants was inconsistent by location and year. Four-week-old transplants did not withstand field stress and performed poorly regardless of type of container. Ear quality as indicated by row number, ear diameter, ear length, and tipfill was lowest with transplants.</jats:p>

Soil-biodegradable Mulches for Growth, Yield, and Quality of Sweet Corn in a Mediterranean-type Climate

“…While this difference in GDD soil was only 10%, the increase in soil temperature in plastic BDM and PE mulch treatments likely provided the sweet corn crop with significantly more favorable growing conditions. Other studies have also reported that clear and black plastic BDM and PE mulches decreased days to germination, tasseling, silking, and harvest of sweet corn compared with bare ground (Aguyoh et al, 1999;Waterer, 2010). In the current study, plant height, shoot and root biomass, SPAD readings, and ear weight and number were greater for all black plastic BDM and PE mulch treatments compared with bare ground, WeedGuardPlus, and Clear Organix AG treatments.…”

“…Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is a warmseason crop adapted to temperate climates (Aguyoh et al, 1999). Optimum growth of sweet corn occurs when soil temperatures range from 20 to 30°C, and soil moisture is at 75% to 100% field capacity (Kebede et al, 2014;Schneider and Gupta, 1985;Stall et al, 2019).…”

“…Soil temperatures (5 to 25 cm deep) and soil moisture (0 to 200 cm deep) were greater in field plots with PE mulch than in bare ground, leading to increased WUE and yield in the PE mulch treatment. Other studies have shown that clear PE mulch can raise soil temperature, accelerate germination, promote growth, decrease the days to harvest, and increase the yield of marketable sweet corn ears (Aguyoh et al, 1999;Dinkel, 1966;Hopen, 1965;Kwabiah, 2004). Qin et al (2015) conducted a meta-analysis of the effects of PE and straw mulching on corn (type not specified) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using 1310 yield observations from 74 studies conducted in 19 countries.…”

Plasticulture as a means of vine management method in cucumber (Cucumis sativus l.) production a mini review

“…These microclimate factors strongly affect the soil temperature and moisture in the root zone, which in turn may influence plant growth and productivity. 15 Mulching can improve early and total yield 16 and fruit quality. 17 In addition, mulches increase the efficiency of water uptake and fertilizer use 18 and reduce weed competition.…”

“…17 In addition, mulches increase the efficiency of water uptake and fertilizer use 18 and reduce weed competition. 15 It is has been reported that mulching of cucumber in the rain forest zone of Nigeria should fall between 3 weeks after planting to get reasonable yield. 11 White plastic mulch absorbs little solar radiation but transmits 85% to 95% of incoming solar radiation.…”