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A
regular grain structure with a good tip fill is even more important
for sweet corn than for field corn, since it is used for the fresh
market. The arrangement of the female flowers on the ear depends
on the variety. Thus, the number of rows, the diameter of the axis,
etc. are genetically determined (see variety information sheet).
The
formation of grains depends on the correct pollination of the stigma
pistils. That means that, if the plants stand too close, the quantity
of pollens that get to the pistils is not enough. At the same time
the blossoming time of the pollinating panicle (pollen flight time)
is reduced and may be too short to pollinate the grains at the ear
tip, which are produced at last. Consequently, the plant stand should
be between 6 - 8 plants/ m², depending on the maturing period
and plant habit of the indivdual variety.
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