Analysis of responses of novel double mutant (sh2sh2/su1su1) sweet corn hybrids for kernel sweetness under different sowing- and harvest-time

Sweet corn used as vegetable and component of various snack items, has emerged as one of the popular choices across the world. Identification of suitable sowing- and harvest-time for achieving high-kernel sweetness and yield is of paramount importance for successful commercialization of sweet corn hybrids. In the present study, 11 novel double mutant sweet corn (sh2sh2/su1su1) hybrids along with traditional sh2sh2-based checks were evaluated at three sowing- and harvest-dates. Kernel brix across double mutant sweet corn hybrids ranged from 17.6-26.6% (Mean:21.0%) and was comparatively higher than sh2sh2-based checks (19.3%). Sowing- and harvest- time had significant influence on brix accounting 19.4% and 8.5% of the total variation, respectively. Genotype × sowing time, genotype × harvest time and genotype × sowing time × harvest time interactions contributed 11.4%, 10.3% and 15.2% of the total variation for brix, respectively. Average brix across harvest dates attained highest value in third sowing and 24-days after pollination recorded the highest brix across sowing dates. Few hybrids also displayed stable brix across sowing- and harvest- time. Significant influence of sowing time on both cob- and fodder- yield was also observed, and third sowing was identified as the most favourable environment for both the traits. Kernel sweetness did not show any correlation with cob- and fodder- yield. The information generated here hold significant promise in the improvement of sweet corn. This is the first ever report of responses of sh2sh2/su1su1-based hybrids to different sowing- and harvest- time for kernel sweetness and yield.