Researcher: J.W. Zandstra and R.C. Squire, Ridgetown College, University of Guelph

Objectives:

1. To identify sweet corn cultivars with agronomic characteristics suitable for the processing industry

Methodology:

Sweet corn cultivars were seeded on May 24 and June 05, 2000 (supersweet; standard and sugar enhanced respectively) on a Brookston clay loam sand spot phase soil on the Ridgetown College research farm and on June 23 at the Huron Research Station (standard and sugar enhanced only). The corn was seeded at a population of 100,000 seeds/ha (40,000 seeds/acre) and thinned to 45,000 plants/ha (20,000 plants/acre) when the corn was in the five leaf stage.

Weeds were controlled with a preplant incorporated treatment of Dual II Magnum + Atrazine (Ridgetown) or Primextra Light (Huron) and a post-emergence treatment of Pardner + Atrazine at the Ridgetown site. Weed escapes were controlled with cultivation and hoeing.

Nitrogen fertilizer was applied as urea at 265 kg/ha at both sites. Phosphorous and potassium applications were based on soil analysis.

European corn borers were controlled with sprays of Sevin and Cymbush at Ridgetown and Sevin at the Huron Research Station.

The trials were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications. A single plot consisted of 4 rows, 8 m in length with 75 cm between the rows. The two center rows where harvested per plot

Results:

Seventeen cultivars from 5 seed companies were included in the trials. 7 cultivars were in the trials in 1999. Lumina, Reveille, and Crookham 710 were included as comparisons for Su, Se and SH₂ sugar types respectively. Overall, the trials went well, but rust pressure reduced the yields of some cultivars. Reveille was not harvested at Ridgetown because of severe rust pressure.

At Ridgetown the highest yielding Su cultivars were Dynamo and Climax, with marketable yields of 10.2 and 9.2 t/ac respectively. Climax (formerly XP 8410347) has been a top yielding cultivar for the past 2 seasons at Ridgetown and Huron. GH 2547 which had been a top yielding cultivar for the past 2 years yielded 8.2 t/ac.als. Intrigue was the highest yielding Se cultivar at both sites (8.9 and 6.1 t/ac at Ridgetown and Huron respectively). ACX 427 and HMX 6383 were the top yielding SH₂ cultivars at the Ridgetown site (8.0 and 7.1 t/ac respectively).

Project Title: Processing Pea Cultivar Evaluation - 2000

Researcher: J.W. Zandstra and R.C. Squire, Ridgetown College, University of Guelph

Objectives:

1. Identify pea cultivars with agronomic characteristics suitable for the processing industry.

Methodology:

Pea cultivars were seeded on a Brookston clay loam sand spot phase soil at the Ridgetown College Research Farm on 05 May 2000 and at the Huron Park Research Station on 30 May . Based on soil nutrient analysis, additional phosphorous and potassium were not required, and no nitrogen was applied. No seed treatments were applied other than what was present when the seed came from the supplier. The peas were seeded at a rate of 1 375 000 plant/ha (500 000 plants/acre) into rows spaced at 18 cm (7") using a 12- row Wintersteiger double cone plot seeder. Seed numbers were calculated by weight, using data provided by seed companies

Weeds were controlled at the Ridgetown and Huron Park site by a preplant application of Pursuit. The Ridgetown site also received Basagran + Assist on 20 June. Other weeds were controlled by hand hoeing.

Plots at Ridgetown were monitored as they matured by harvesting a subsample of 0.5 m x 8 rows per plot, and combining the 4 samples (replicates) and shelling. Tenderometer readings were made using an F.M.C. pea tenderometer which had been calibrated by Agricorp at the beginning of the season. At harvest, 2.0 m x 8 rows (2.88 m² ) were harvested per plot, and shelled in a stationary pea sheller.

Plots at Huron Park were intended for observation and were not harvested.

Results:

Thirty nine cultivars from 7 seed companies were included in the trial. Of these, 24 were cultivars which were not in the trial in previous years. Sancho, Spring, Encore and Bolero were included as standards for comparison.

The 2000 growing season was cooler and wetter than the previous season, but close to the 30 year normals (83.6, 84.4 and 135.4 mm precipitation for May, June and July respectively). Plant stands were lower than previous trials. Weed control was good. Overall the trial was very good. Tenderometer readings averaged 105 across all cultivars.

The top yielding early maturing varieties (less than 1400 heat units*) were Tonic (5650 lbs/acre*), Monico (5101 lbs/acre*), FP2237 (5065 lbs/acre*), and PLS 876 (5056 lbs/acre*) The yield of Spring was 4491 lbs/acre*.

The top yielding late maturing varieties (greater than 1400 heat units*) were Starlight (7666 lbs/acre*) and PLS 182 (6873 lbs/acre*), EX 85 0417 8 (6817 lbs/acre*) and Emblem (6780 lbs/acre). The yield of Bolero was 6241 lbs/acre*.

* - yields and heat units were adjusted to a tenderometer value of 100; one tenderometer point was equivalent to 28 lbs/acre and 2 heat units.