Odair José Marques

Sowing Time of Sweet Corn in Summer Season in Northwestern Paraná, Brazil

The aims of study were to evaluate the effect of sowing time in summer season on agronomic characteristics of sweet corn grown in summer season in Northwest Parana, Brazil. The experiments were conducted in 2011, and 2012, in both years, the sowing was carried out on ST1: 09/05; ST2: 09/19; ST3: 10/03; ST4: 10/17, and ST5: 10/31. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, consisting of sowing time and two corn hybrids, with four replicates. The evaluated variables were plant height, leaf area index and yield of commercial ears, in which the effects of sowing times were studied through regression analysis, and effects of hybrids and agricultural years were studied by F-test. Sowing times promoted reductions in phenology of hybrids, but did not provide variations in degree-days accumulation by hybrids. The maximum leaf area index (3.82) was estimated for 10/04. In year 2011, the maximum plant height (2.17 m) and yield (13.0 Mg ha-1) were estimated for 10/06, and 10/03, respectively. While, in year 2012, the maximum height (2.22 m) and yield (12.85 Mg ha-1) were obtained on 10/09 and 10/11, respectively. The hybrid RB6324 showed greater yield potential, independent of year.