Optimization of harvesting time by quality criteria of sweet corn

In this study, the quality criteria which are important for food processes of three different types of sweet corn (such as Sunshine, El toro and Merkür) was investigated and harvesting periods were optimized sweet corn varieties have been planted in three different planting times (such as May 6th, July 20th and August 20th) and harvested in three different harvesting periods (such as milk stage, yellow stage and dough stage). Sweet corns were planted in Bornova region located in Izmir on 2011. Sweet corn samples harvested and striped the kernels from an ear of sweet corn for every planting time for each type of sweet corn and in each harvesting periods. There was a difference between each harvesting period which belongs to types of sweet corn and planting times approximately 7 days. Analyses of size of sweet corn piece measurement, weight of thousand pieces of sweet corn, total dry matter content, starch content, soluble dry matter content, sugar content, protein contenti texture, color and sensory analysis were conducted in sweet corn pieces. In conclusion, when quality properties of sweet corn especially invert sugar content, total sugar content, starch content and sensory analysis based on taste results considered, for Sunshine optimum harvesting periods were selected as milk stage of May 6th planting time (time to planting to harvest 83 days), milk stage of July 20th planting time (time to planting to harvest 72 days) and milk stage of August 20th planting time (time to planting to harvest 89 days). According to the same properties, optimum harvesting periods for Merkür were selected as milk stage of May 6th planting time (time to planting to harvest 87 days), milk stage of July 20th planting time (time to planting to harvest 77 days) and dough stage of August 20th planting time (time to planting to harvest 107 days). However, optimum harvesting periods for El toro were selected as milk stage of May 6th planting time (time to planting to harvest 89 days), milk stage of July 20th planting time (time to planting to harvest 79 days) and yellow stage of August 20th planting time (time to planting to harvest 100 days).