Abstract:
Nitrogen use varies dramatically among crops. Short season crops with relatively small
biomass accumulation will not need as much nitrogen for growth as long season corn varieties
that develop a large canopy. The recent introduction of sweet corn hybrids that tolerate root rot
may reduce N fertilizer need. Hybrids such as Coho have extensive root systems that give this
variety the ability to maintain yields even when the root system is severely compromised by root
rot. Efficient use of nitrogen will reduce the cost of sweet corn production. It will also reduce
potential non-point contamination of above and below ground water supplies, and if
implemented properly, will reduce the competitive effect of small seeded weeds on sweet corn
yield. The long-term goal of this research is to refine nitrogen fertilizer application rates for
sweet corn. This project explored the possibility that ‘newer’ varieties such as Coho utilize N
more efficiently than Jubilee, the variety with which N research was conducted previously.
