Abstract:
The sweet corn breeding
strategy aims to enhance and sustain a
consistent yield over time. The interaction
between density and tiller removal is
currently being discussed among sweet corn
farmers, as well as scientists working in
sweet corn. Considering the studies carried
out to date and the research directions
suggested by them, the present study aimed
to determine the impact of plant density,
variety, tiller removal and their interactions
on the yield and ear prolificacy/weight of
sweet corn under the climatic conditions of
northeast Romania. The experiments were
focused on 3 sweet corn varieties (Deliciosul
de Bacău, Deliciul verii and Royalty F1),
sown at 3 densities (50k, 60k and 70k
plants/ha) and considering 2 variants for
tiller removal (tiller removal / without tiller
removal). The highest yield of sweet corn
was recorded in the Royalty F1 hybrid in the
plots in which the tillers were removed
(24.27 t/ha). The Royalty F1 hybrid also had
the heaviest ears (313.33 g) in plots with
tiller removal and 60k plants/ha. Overall, the
most favourable plant density in terms of
yield was 60k plants/ha. The experimental
results showed that in the climatic conditions
of northeast Romania, tiller removal led to
increased yield, especially in the Deliciosul
de Bacău hybrid. Tiller removal in this
hybrid resulted in a significant increase in
yield (from 18.41 to 23.08 t/ha).
