Bob Precheur, Extension Specialist, Vegetable Crops

Ohio State University ~ Columbus, Ohio

Thomas C. Harker, Horticulture Assistant

Ohio State University Extension Enterprise Center

1864 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio 45661

Phone: (740) 289-3727 Email: harker.7@osu.edu

This Ornamental Corn Germplasm trial compared 18 cultivars using 3 replicates of each cultivar. Objectives were to rate and observe specific lines of ornamental corns for production and marketing characteristics.

Planting: Seeded to the field on May 12, 2000

Spacing: Rows were planted on 30 inch row spacing, rows were 15 feet long

Soil Type: Haubstadt Silt loam

Fertilizer: Applied 120 lbs. N, 120 lbs. P2O5 and 120 lbs. K2O per acre according to soil test recommendations.

Weed Control: 2.1 qt/a Bicep II Magnim applied on May 12, 2000

Pest Management: None

Harvest: October 10, 2000

Some cultivars in this year's trial that look promising include Indian Art 104, Indian Art 101 RBV 1402-B, AM-X 1005 and Autumn Splender round out the top five in the trial. Marketable ears per acre ranged from 41,333 to 21,333 and most of the cultivars yielded multiple ears per plant. Ear length ranged from 9.65 inches to 8.28 inches long. There was a wide range of color schemes in this year's trial some of the colors included Reds, pinks, purples, blues, browns, and yellows. Some of the colors had a pastel appearance to them, others ears had a shinny appearance to them. There were several attractive color schemes in this year's trials.

Table 1. Yields from the replicated Ornamental Corn Germplasm Evaluation,

Ohio State University Extension Enterprise Center, Hillsboro

Table 2. Seed Companies