Sweet corn production in Northwest Missouri is increasing as income for soybean and corn crops continues to decline. Producers continue to seek an early, high producing variety to satisfy the July 4 market window. The loess soils of this region are well-suited for sweet corn production as the requirements for this crop are similar to those of field corn. Most sweet corn in this area is sold at farmers' markets as there is no commercial market available. Terminal markets are located in Kansas City and Omaha but the corn must be harvested and sold quickly before it deteriorates. The sugar-enhanced(se) varieties are becoming more popular as their shelf life is longer than that of standard varieties. The demand for the se varieties is increasing as they are much sweeter than the standard varieties. Growers are seeking a high yielding, early variety to capture the early market. This variety trial was planted to try to determine the best yielding variety for this climate.

Thirty one varieties of sweet corn(se) were direct seeded on April 18. Two rows of each variety, 50' long and 2 1/2 'wide, were planted in a plot 50' by 220'. Bicep II(1.5 qt/5 gal water) was applied to the field on April 19 to control early weeds. On June 13, 100 lb of 46-0-0 fertilizer(about 150 lb actual N/Ac) was side dressed to the rows in the plot. Diazinon or Sevin were applied to the corn silks on June 21 and every 3 days until July 5. Harvest began on July 5 and continued until July 15. Ears were counted and weighed for each variety. Ear length was determined for each variety. Very little smut was observed this year and earworm damage was limited. Raccoons caused damage in the early varieties. A Bt variety, BC0801, was included in the trial. Some earworms were found on the ear tips but they were dead. No ear worms were found in the middle of these ears and no European corn borers were found in the stalks. A refractometer was used to get the following Brix readings: Double Gem(19), Rapport(TSW)(17), Bojangles(20), Luscious(TSW)(17.5), Ouray(15), BC0801(17), and Providence(18). Providence was obtained from two different sources . The corn obtained from Seedway had a better germination rate and production than the other one.

Although no official taste test was conducted, some varietes had better flavor than others. Ecstase II produced the most ears followed by Seneca Spring and Providence. (Table 1). At the given spacing 100 ears were equivalent to about 1500 doz/Ac. Brocade and Bon Appetite had the heaviest ears . In general, later varieties had taller stalks and longer ears.