From The Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, 1999

Sweet Corn Seed Enhancement Increases Early Plant Fresh and Dry Weights and Yield

Author: J.M. White
University of Florida

Abstract

Field and growth room studies were conducted to evaluate three seed enhancement treatments of low-energy electrons using high voltage, very low amps, and DC current with a trace of AC current on sweet corn, cv 'Billy No. 1'. Seeds were hand-planted 25 cm apart in the field on 25 Mar. 1998, into an Immokalle fine sand. Harvest was 64 days later on 28 May 1998. Early emergence and growth were evaluated by sowing seeds of the three treatments, plus a check, in trays and placing them in growth rooms at 20 and 27°C. Marketable yields were significantly increased with two of the enhancement treatments over the check (926 and 882 vs 739 crates/ha). Average ear width, ear length, plant height, ear height, and early maturity were not affected by the treatments. At both temperatures in the growth rooms seeds treated with high voltage, very low amps for a short duration resulted in greater fresh and dry weights and plant height than the check. Growth was slower, as expected, at the lower temperature. At six days, plant heights for the check were 3.9 and 6.4 cm at 20 and 27°C respectively. There was not difference in plant height for six days at 20°C, but the control plants were shorter than all treated plants for six days at 27°C and also for the control plants at 20 days at 20°C.

1998 SWEET CORN COMPARISON OF INCREASE IN YIELD 
VERSUS DECLINE IN REDOX RATIO