Performance of Two Sweet Corn Cultivars Grown under Conservation Tillage and With-in-row Weed Pressure
2000
Makus, Donald J
In spring 1998, furrow-irrigated sweet corn cultivars ‘Sensor’and ‘G-90’ (Zea mays var. rugosa) were grown under two conservation tillage (CT) systems in the presence or absence of weeds, and compared to conventionally-grown sweet corn, grown in the presence or absence of weeds. Tillage systems, consisting of conventional cultivation, ridge tillage, and no tillage, were in continuous rotation since fall 1994. Sweet corn yields were not influenced by CT but the later-maturing ‘G- 90’ had higher yields than did ‘Sensor’. The presence of weed pressure reduced yield and ears/ha in ‘G-90’, but not in ‘Sensor’. Weed pressure reduced ‘Sensor’, but not ‘G-90’ average ear weight. ‘Sensor’ ear weights were lowest when grown under no tillage. ‘G-90’ ear weights were not affected by CT. Ear quality attributes, which included ear weight, length, diameter, dry matter, and incidence of earworm damage, were greater in ‘G-90’ than ‘Sensor’, but CT had no influence on these attributes. Cultivars supported different weed species underneath their canopies. ‘Sensor’ allowed more light penetration and sustained higher weed biomass than did the taller ‘G-90’ plants. CT increased weed biomass. Season soil moisture was lowest in the ridge tilled plots, but only in the 0-15 cm profile. Soil temperatures (unreplicated) at the 15 cm depth were similar between cultivar and tillage treatments over the growing season.
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