Title: Sweet Corn from Grower to Consumer
1Sweet Corn from Grower to Consumer
2Genetics and Growing Sweet Corn
The Grower's Job understand the influence of
genetics on grower- and consumer-oriented
traits. select varieties with the best
combination of traits.
3Sweet Corn Variety Selection based on
Horticultural Traits and using University Reports
4Today's Agenda
identify important traits expand description
of genetic influence on selected traits
outline role of research-based information in
variety selection describe OSU evaluations and
results
5Which Traits are Important?
Grower-friendly Traits
excellent stand establishment under diverse,
harsh conditions high vigor disease, insect,
stress, and pest ( 2 legs) resistance high
marketable yield
6Which Traits are Important?
Grower-friendly Traits
excellent stand establishment under diverse,
harsh conditions high vigor disease, insect,
stress, and pest ( 2 legs) resistance high
marketable yield
Frequently reported in Extension publications and
presentations.
7Which Traits are Important?
Grower-friendly Traits
Not focus today.
8Which Traits are Important?
Consumer-oriented Traits
Appearance Initial Purchase Eating
Quality Repeat Purchase
9In most U.S. markets, consumers of fresh market
sweet corn prefer an 8-9 inch ear with a dark
green husk, long and dark green flag leaf, and 16
straight rows of small, deep, and sweet kernels
filled to the tip of the ear.
Adapted from Sweet Corn by W.F. Tracy, In
Specialty Corns, 2nd ed., 2001, A.R. Hallauer, ed.
10Fresh Market Sweet CornWhat Consumers Focus on
Before Purchase
husk and flag leaf color and length tip
fill row number and configuration ear
uniformity silk color
11Fresh Market Sweet CornWhat Consumers Focus on
After Purchase
eating quality buy or don't buy (again)
12Fresh Market Sweet CornWhat Consumers Focus on
After Purchase Eating Quality
What We Know criteria that consumers use to
gauge quality relative importance of criteria
13Sweet Corn Eating Quality
14Sweet Corn Genetics and Eating Quality
endosperm sugar enhanced super-sweettype
se sh2 harvest window long
longer (?)sugar levelsat harvest up to
25 up to 35 conversionto starch
slow slower phytoglycogen high lowperi
carp tender less tender
15Recent Developments in Sweet Corn Genetics
Endosperm types vary in grower- and
consumer-oriented traits. New genetics blurring
conventional distinctions. Goal has been to
combine best traits of several major genetic
variants (su1, se, sh2).
Tracy 2001
16Sweet Corn Genetics and Eating Quality
New sh2based genetics
improved quality or augmented sh2 Gourmet
Sweet Multisweet Xtra Tender may contain
su1-like traits but most kernels should be
uniform
17Sweet Corn Genetics and Eating Quality
New sh2based genetics
improved quality or augmented sh2 Gourmet
Sweet Multisweet Xtra Tender may contain
su1-like traits but most kernels should be
uniform sugar levels 30, tender pericarp,
excellent flavor, hold quality well
18Sweet Corn Genetics and Eating Quality
New su1based genetics
hetero se or synergistics Table
Sweet Triplesweet Sweet-Breed contain
su1-like and other traits, kernels on same ear
not uniform
19Sweet Corn Genetics and Eating Quality
New su1based genetics
hetero se or synergistics Table
Sweet Triplesweet Sweet-Breed contain su1-like
and other traits, kernels on same ear not
uniform increased sugar in some kernels,
increased phytoglycogen in others, generally
tender pericarp
20Sweet Corn Genetics and Eating Quality
New su1based genetics
hetero se or synergistics Table
Sweet Triplesweet Sweet-Breed contain su1-like
and other traits, kernels on same ear not
uniform some kernels lack long holding
ability, will become more evident with time
21University research invariety selection
22Sources of Information in Variety Selection
personal experience other growers members
of the seed trade consultants buyers
University research and extension
23University Information in Variety Selection
range of genotypes (endosperm types,
standard and new) multiple sites multiple
companies
24University Information in Variety Selection
measure grower- and consumer-oriented
traits objective, scientific process easy
access to information
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27Sweet Corn Evaluation Factors
type color sites se
yellow threesh2 white other bi-color
type and site most important
28Sweet Corn Evaluations 1999-2001
Participation and Support
12 companies Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit
Research and Development Program The OSU
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30OSU Sweet Corn Evaluations
Results available annual bulletin
production guide OSUE programs website
direct request
31Variety Performance Rating System
--------------- Percent
-------------- Marketable Yield
Disease Variety Emergence Number Weight
Rating Sum
1. 1 4 4 3 12 2. 5 6 8
10 29 3. 2 1 2 4 9 4. 10 12
12 11 45 12 lower score higher
ranking
32Variety Performance Rating System
can distinguish potential best and worst
performers use to narrow focus to selected
genotypes base actual selection on this and
other information
33Genetics and Eating Sweet Corn
60 genotypes evaluated 2000-2001
Weak and Strong PerformersAppearance and Eating
Quality
Brix 2000 16-23 at harvest(room
temp.) 14-22 after 48 hrBrix 2001 13-21 at
harvest(refrig.) 13-20 after 96 hr
34SUMMARY
35Today's Agenda
identify important traits expand description
of genetic influence on selected traits
outline role of research-based information in
variety selection describe OSU evaluations and
results
36Sweet Corn from Grower to Consumer
37Genetics and Growing Sweet Corn
The Grower's Job understand the influence of
genetics on grower- and consumer-oriented
traits. select varieties with the best
combination of traits.
38Sources of Information in Variety Selection
personal experience other growers members
of the seed trade consultants buyers
University research and extension
39Variety Performance Rating System
--------------- Percent
-------------- Marketable Yield
Disease Variety Emergence Number Weight
Rating Sum
1. 1 4 4 3 12 2. 5 6 8
10 29 3. 2 1 2 4 9 4. 10 12
12 11 45 12 lower score higher
ranking
40THANK-YOU and GOOD LUCK!
QUESTIONS?
41Dr. Matt KleinhenzAsst. Professor, Extension
Vegetable SpecialistDept. of Horticulture and
Crop Science, The OSU-OARDCphone 330-263-3810E-
mail kleinhenz.1_at_osu.eduWeb http//www.oard
c.ohio-state.edu/kleinhenz/