Influence of weather conditions on the growth and yield of selected sweet corn (Zea mays ssp. saccharata) varieties

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the duration of different phases of development and yield and the precipitation and temperature for the selected varieties of sweet corn. The experiment was conducted in the period 2009 to 2011 at the Experimental-Didactic Station Gorzyń with a branch in Swadzim. During the growth of plants precipitation and temperature data were collected. After reaching milk maturity, yield was collected and cobs were identified. Then the length of different phases of development was calculated. The statistical analysis was done with Statistica 10 programm. On the basis of the studies the significant effect was found of precipitation and temperature on the growth and yield of tested sweet corn varieties. During sowing – fifth-sixth leaf stage, sowing – panicles, sowing – milk maturity more important role was played by precipitation. Yield and the length of period sowing – emergence depend as much on precipitation and temperature. Of the eight tested varieties ‘Basin’, ‘Sweet Nugget’ and ‘Overland’ yielded best, while ‘Naziha’ – worst