Influence of Tillage On Leaf Area Index and Aboveground Biomass Yields of Six Sweet Corn Cultivars

The goal of this study was to compare the effect of tillage on aboveground biomass (AGB) yields and leaf area index (LAI) of six sweet corn cultivars. The tillage and cultivar treatments were applied in factorial arrangement using randomized complete block design with three replications. Cultivars included Silver Queen (C1), Silver King (C2), Frosty (C3), Avalon (C4), Silver Princess (C5), Argent (C6) and tillage treatments consisted of no-till (NT) and strip-till (ST). In spring of 2008, six sweet corn cultivars were planted in the field. AGB was collected three weeks prior to harvest while LAI was recorded at vegetative (10 June), early tasseling (26 June) and harvest week (16 July). ST-C1 produced highest LAI at vegetative (2.23), early tasseling (3.39) and harvest week (4.00). Lowest LAI at vegetative (1.12) and early tasseling (1.24) were produced by NT-C6, while NT-C3 produced lowest LAI during harvest week (1.45). Maximum sweet corn AGB fresh (38.3 Mg/ha) and dry weight (7.1 Mg/ha) yields were produced by ST-C1 while minimum AGB fresh (7.8 Mg/ha) and dry weight (2.0 Mg/ha) yields were produced by NT-C3. First year results showed that C1 (cv. Silver Queen) grown in strip-till produced highest AGB yields and LAI, while C6 (cv. Argent) and C3 (cv. Frosty) in no-till had lowest LAI with minimal AGB yields.