ASHS 2025 Conference

A comprehensive, two-year field evaluation of bicolor, white, and yellow sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) varieties was conducted in southern Georgia during the spring seasons of 2022 and 2024. This research aimed to evaluate the yield and quality performance of commercial supersweet sweet corn varieties for the main kernel color market segments. The experiment was conducted at the Hort Hill Research Farm on the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. A total of ten bicolor, five white, and five yellow sweet corn varieties were used in this study. Significant interactions were observed between years and varieties, impacting ear characteristics and marketability. Overall, 2022 exhibited significantly higher ear and shank lengths, while 2024 had increased blank tip lengths and higher unmarketable ear counts. Among the bicolor varieties, ‘Redemption’ demonstrated exceptional performance with the highest ear length and width measurements, shank length, and the lowest blank tip measurements. ‘Grizzly’ had the lowest ear width, shank length, and highest blank tip measurements, while ‘American Dream’ recorded the shortest ear length. ‘Obsession’ and ‘Seminole Sweet’ had the highest marketable yield and 48-ear boxes per acre, reflecting their superior yield performance, whereas ‘Grizzly’ exhibited the lowest performance parameters, including the lowest marketable yield, total ear counts, and 48-ear boxes per acre. Additionally, ‘Superb’, ‘American Dream’, and ‘Courage’ recorded higher unmarketable ear counts per plot, which ultimately resulted in a significantly lower percentage of marketable ears. For the white varieties, there were no significant differences in ear characteristics and yield parameters. However, the yellow varieties displayed statistically significant differences in ear width and shank length. ‘GSS1170’ excelled, with the highest ear width and shank length, making it an excellent option for yellow corn production. Varieties ‘SC1336,’ ‘Astronaut,’ and ‘Passion’ had significantly higher unmarketable ear counts, with total ear counts also varying significantly among varieties, indicating differences in both productivity and marketability. Based on these research findings, the recommended varieties for optimal performance in ear characteristics and marketability are ‘Obsession’, ‘Seminole Sweet’, and ‘Redemption’ for bicolor corn and ‘GSS1170’ for yellow corn. These varieties exhibited excellent yield performance, making them ideal choices for growers seeking to increase yield. Conversely, since white corn varieties did not exhibit significant differences for any ear characteristics or marketability parameters, no specific recommendations can be made for this category.