Prediction of Sweet Corn Seeds Field Emergence under Wet Soil Condition

Abstract

Field emergence prediction of sweet corn seeds under wet soil conditions was studied using three different quality seeds of Hawaiian Sugar Super Sweet and Super Sweet Argo Extra MT varieties. The seeds were subjected to germinate in sand at room temperature. Germination was evaluated for 7 days after planting (DAP). Flooded germination was done by planting the seeds in 1000 g of clay soil in a plastic basket, flooding at 1 cm above soil level for 5 hours and evaluating at 7 DAP. Field emergence was studied under daily watering, three times a day, to simulate wet planting soil condition. Field emergence evaluation was performed at 7 DAP. Results showed that the sweet corn seeds with 79.50-91.00% germination of Hawaiian Sugar Super Sweet and Super Sweet Argo Extra MT varieties had field emergence of 61-79% under wet soil condition. The lower quality seed had the field emergence of lower than 60%. Sand germination and flooded germination in clay soil did not correspond to field emergence under wet soil condition. The field emergence under wet soil condition of sweet corn seeds could be predicted by the polynomial equations which gave better results than sand germination test.