Effects of Nitrogen and Water Rates on Nitrogen Uptake Dynamics in Drip Irrigated Sweet Corn

Abstract

A complete factorial experiment using three nitrogen (67, 156 and 245 lbs N/acre) and three water rates (70, 100 and 130% consumptive use) examined the specific management criteria necessary for obtaining optimum yield and quality of drip- irrigated 'Sweetie '82' sweet corn. The crop was planted on 22 February and harvested on 30 May with an 86/50° F heat unit accumulation of 1444. When present, a nitrogen deficiency greatly decreased marketable yield number of marketable ears/plant mean ear weight, ear length and tip fill. Higher moisture rates generally had less effect on yield and quality than did N rates; however, increasing water rates significantly increased marketable yields and plant height. The effect of N and water rates on N and dry matter accumulation and on diagnostic plant tissue testing results for sweet corn are also presented The maximum marketable yield obtained in this experiment was 7.2 tons per acre, using 245 lbs N/acre and 20.5 inches of irrigation water.