Sweet Corn:
Almost everyone has their favorite sweet corn variety. But did you know that there are hundreds to choose from and they differ in the genes that are expressed for sweetness and tenderness?
|
In 2009, 2010 and 2011, 20 different hybrids of sweet corn were grown that differed in their color (yellow, white, or bicolor) and their genetic expression. Over the years corn breeders have selected three genes within sweet corn that give it more sweetness (su, se, and sh2 genes). Sweet corn breeders have also developed hybrids that express two or all three genes expressed (synergistic) as either se+ or triple sweet. There were also two hybrids that had the Bt gene included that help control corn earworms. However, Bt sweet corn is not available to the general public because of planting restrictions. At ripeness the 20 different hybrids were picked and cooked for a taste test. Faculty, staff, and students from CAFNR came out and rated the sweet corn based on taste on a scale of from 1 to 5 with 5 being the best. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
