Sweet Corn Genotypes versus Ethephon in Relation to Yield Components

One of the major production related problems associated with sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa and particularly in the sh 2 cultivars, has been root lodging. A study was thus conducted to determine if foliarly applied ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid] would effectively reduce susceptibility to root lodging in sweet corn, and to characterize three sweet corn genotypes' responses to ethephon. In 1987 and 1988 the effects of ethephon treatments on plant height, root lodging, and yield were evaluated using three sweet corn genotypes, sugary (su), sugary enhanced (se), and shrunken (sh 2 ) (...)