Final Report for FNE03-500
Project Information
The purpose of this project was to conduct an on-farm comparison of fertility treatments to one sweet corn variety planted and harvested at two different times during the season. This was an evaluation of which treatment was most economical, had the best sugar content, and nutrient utilization. Treatments were: 1. 50 pounds of nitrogen applied just prior to planting as broadcast and incorporated; 2. nitrogen recommendation based on pre-sidedress nitrate soil test (PSNT) when the corn was 8 to 12 inches tall; 3. foliar treatment with Fertileader and Fertileader BMO.
The three treatments were replicated four times in each of two plantings. One planting was planted in early May and the second in early June. PSNT recommendations were made if the test level was less than 25 ppm nitrate. The first planting was harvested August 18th; the second August 25th.
Plots that received the PSNT yielded almost 200 dozen more ears of corn than the other treatments. Net return to management was over $650 dollars more per acre using the PSNT than the other two treatments. There was no difference in sugar content between the three treatments. Brooks plans to continue to use the PSNT, using the test when the sweet corn is eight inches tall, and expanding it to all of his sweet corn plantings in 2004.