Field Evaluation of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.) F1 Hybrids Grown in La Costa De Hermosillo, Mexico

Fourteen sweet corn F₁ Hybrids were tested in a grower commercial field in La Costa de Hermosillo, Mexico 70 km west far away Hermosillo City during 2006 spring season. A completely randomized experiment design was utilized. The plots were established under a drip irrigation system considering 1.8 m apart between each drip irrigation line and 50 cm between row plants. Eight corn seeds were sowed per lineal meter (approximately a population of 90,000 plants per ha). The evaluated sweet corn F₁ Hybrids were: Challenger, Shimmer, Krispy King, GSS-4644, GSS-7831, Prime Time, Forever, 4404, GSS-5788, GSS-9377, GSS-1526, Show Case, Prime Plus, and GSS-9299. According to results recorded in this field sweet corn F₁ Hybrids evaluation, most Hybrids reached high yield and quality for international market. All sweet corn Hybrids were harvested 65 days after sowing. The sweet corn Hyd. SS-9377 recorded the longest ear sized. Highest sugar levels were recorded up to 16 ºbrigs in Shimmer, Krispy King, GSS-7831, and GSS-9377 F₁ Hybrids. Remaining sweet corn Hybrids reached 13 ºbrigs. When packing, cartoon boxes of four dozens ears capacity were used. Regarding to crop production, GSS-4644, Krispy King, Shimmer, and Challenger were the most outstanding F₁ Hybrids recording yielding ranging from 907 to 1176 boxes per ha.