Analysis of Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels

Sweet corn is one of the seven groups of maize specifically grown for its fresh and juicy cobs which is very sweet when tested. It can be distinguished from other maize species by its sugar content at early dough stages and by its wrinkled, translucent kernals when dry. The specific time when sweet corn originated cannot be ascertained. However, sweet corn was grown by the American Indians and first collected by European settlers in the 1770’s. The first variety, papoon, was acquired from the Iroquois Indians in 1779. In addition to that, it is consumed as a vegetable, rather than grain, since the process of maturation involves converting sugar into starch. Sweet corn has poor storage quality and must be eaten fresh before the kernels become tough.