Emmalea Ernest, Extension Fruit & Vegetable Specialist; emmalea@udel.edu
In 2024 I tested 18 white sweet corn varieties from the supersweet isolation group for yield and ear quality traits. Trials were planted on two dates, April 17 and May 23 at UD’s research farm in Georgetown, Delaware. Most of the varieties in the trial were newer, but two varieties that are currently recommended based on past trial performance were included as checks: Nicole and Xtra-Tender 378A.
Six varieties were high yielding for both planting dates: White Lightening, Endurance, 7401 IMP, Xtra-Tender 378A, Seabright and Nicole (Table 1). Additionally, Platinum and XTH 3674 were high yielding in the April 17 planted trial and Guardian was high yielding in the May 23 planted trial.
There were nine varieties that were not among the top yielding varieties in either trial: Silver Thunder, Xtra-Tender 3473, Summer Sweet Multisweet 2001MR, Leadoff, XTH 3380, Resolve Xtra-Tender, Glacial, Xtra-Tender 3572, and Freedom.
In addition to good yields, White Lightning, Nicole and Guardian had good tip cover and good tip fill. 7401 IMP and Xtra-Tender 378A had poor tip fill – especially in the April planted trial.
Based on the 2024 trials, I plan to add the following white supersweet isolation group varieties to those already listed in the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendations: Endurance, XTH 3674, Seabright, 7401 IMP, Platinum, White Lightning, and Guardian.
Table 1. Yield from 2024 White Sweet Corn Trials
Table 2. Relative Maturity for Recommended Varieties from the 2024 Sweet Corn Trials
