Be aMAYzed: May seeds

In the previous edition of the Forum, Hygrotech proudly announced the addition of an international supplier of a sweetcorn range to its offering for the South African market. In the interim, trials have been conducted throughout South Africa at selected growers to collect and tabulate data. This process has been ongoing for 24 months.

After initially receiving 12 successful commercial varieties from May Seeds to trial, the Hygrotech technical team has selected the top five varieties that performed well across the country. 

The selection process was done at grower level and included discussions with all role players in the supply chain, from those prepacking to representatives from supermarkets. One of the many criteria used to evaluate the varieties, was to determine the days to maturity in comparison to competing varieties.

We were pleasantly surprised by how quick the selected varieties were to maturity. In the challenging circumstances of load shedding, disease pressure and paired spraying costs, and irrigation costs, this is a definite benefit for growers. Another standout of the May sweetcorn range was the high incidence of single stalks in comparison to some varieties that tend to have side shoots, often referred to as ‘’tillers’’ or ‘’suckers’’.

With the May varieties all nutrients are used to mature the cobs set and this is not the case where side shoots are present. A further negative of side shoots is the increased foliage that is present, that is conducive to more diseases. This poses challenges to spraying for insects and diseases. After irrigation or rainfall, the crop tends to take longer to dry out, which benefits any fungal diseases.

Herewith results from a summer planting in the Highfield area: The average days to maturity were +/- 75 days for all varieties in the trial.

What stood out in the growth patterns was the single stalks, ensuring easier spraying which was important for the control of Armyworm infestation. The crop also dried off faster because of the less foliage. 

Regarding cob sizes and other attributes in this trial, the following information can be shared:

The demand in the market is for ears/cobs not wider than 50mm in diameter and at least 16cm in length. The range in the trial all met these requirements.

Winter trials were conducted in the same region and the following results were achieved. It is evident from these trials that winter conditions did not suit these varieties. Currently Hygrotech recommends spring, summer, and early autumn plantings. In this trial the average days to maturity shifted out to 105 days. Two different climate conditions were observed over the 105 days, with the first 50 days being warm at 27°C during the day with night temperatures of 11°C. From there the day temperatures dropped to 22°C with night temperatures going down even lower to 5°C.

Although Hygrotech conducted winter trails, Hygrotech firmly believes the range is better suited for Spring, Summer and Autumn productions, and the recommendation will be not to plant in winter.

The plants were shorter in the Autumn plantings and the ear sizes remain the same. Diameter average 50mm and some lengths were shorter or longer by a couple of centimetres. Because of “stress” some plants could produce more stalks. No silk jamming spotted which is another problem during this period.  Due to the quick growth and early maturity of all the cultivars, leaf diseases did not play a major role in production. Ears already formed before the plants started to struggle.

Caramelo F1, Khan F1 and Sherbet F1 all selected for the fresh market, with Mirza F1 selected to fill the processing gap. Khan F1 is also the only cultivar in the range for a dual-purpose variety. Limpopo Autumn plantings (2023) showed extremely good results, and some of the growers are already considering changing some of the sowings to Khan and Carmelo. Mirza showed the processing potential (longer ear), and this attractive ear could become one of the fresh market options soon.

Khan F1

Dual-purpose option for the fresh and processor market. Excellent Top & Tail option with good tip fill. Medium to strong plant, but still “short” enough for easier crop management.

• • Cultivation / Type: Open field / Processing & Fresh Market
  • Days to maturity: 72/75 (summer) – 85/95 (Winter) days to maturity
  • Ear: Height 50 – 70 cm, Length 18 – 20 cm, Diameter 5 5,4 cm Rows 16 – 18, Shape Cylindrical slightly taper tip
  • Plant & Husk: Single stalk 175 – 185 cm, Medium green husk, good protection, Very Good tip fill.
  • Plantstand: +- 65 000 p/ha
  • Resistances: PS, NCLB & MDMV

Mirza F1

Mirza is a strong, single stalk plant with high quality ear for the processing market. High yield and recovery possibility.

• • Cultivation / Type: Open field / Processing
  • Days to maturity: 72/75 (summer) – 85/95 (Winter) days to maturity
  • Ear: Height 50 – 70 cm, Length 20 – 23 cm, Diameter 5 5,5 cm Rows 16 – 18, Shape Cylindrical slightly taper tip
  • Plant & Husk: Single stalk 200 – 230 cm, Medium green husk, good protection, Good tip fill.
  • Plantstand: +- 65 000 p/ha
  • Resistances: PS & NCLB

(Written by Christo Le Grange)