Oakes Irrigation Research Site
Carrington Research Extension Center * North Dakota State University
P.O. Box 531, Oakes, ND 58474-0531, Voice: (701) 742-2189, FAX: (701) 742-2700, email: rgreenla@ndsuext.nodak.edu

ORNAMENTAL CORN PERFORMANCE TRIAL, 1998
Richard Greenland and Leonard Besemann

Ornamental corn is increasing in demand but the market is still small. It can be used for decorations or for bird seed. In this preliminary trial we tested four ornamental corn hybrids to see how well adapted they were to this area and to get an idea of possible yields.

Table 25. Early stand, days to half-silk, and ear measurements.

Table 26. Quantity and yields of ornamental corn.

Result Summary

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Soil: Maddock sandy loam and Egeland loam; pH=7.4; 2.5% organic matter; soil-P and soil-K were very high; soil-S was very low.

Previous crops: 1997 - carrot and onion; 1996 - pumpkin, squash, and cucumber; 1995 - carrot.

Seedbed
preparation: Disked on 31 October 1997. Multiweeded to incorporate fertilizer and smooth seed bed on May 7.

Planting: Planted May 13 in 30-inch rows. Popcorn planted at 39,000 seeds/acre. Indian and field corn planted at 26,000 seeds/acre.

Plots: 17 ft long by 12.5 ft (5 rows) wide. There were 4 reps.

Fertilizer: On April 13, broadcast 14 lbs N/acre and 70 lbs P₂O₅/acre as 10-50-0, 16 lbs N/acre and 19 lbs S/acre as 21-0-0-24, and 94 lbs K₂0/acre as 0-0-60. Sprayed 50 lbs N/acre as 28-0-0 on May 6. Knifed in 80 lbs of N/acre as 28-0-0 on June 26. Fertigated 40 lbs N/acre as 28-0-0 on July 9.

Irrigation: Overhead sprinkler irrigation as needed.

Pest
Control: Weeds were controlled by Dual + Bladex (1.5 pt + 1.5 lb/acre on May 18) and cultivation (June 26). Sprayed DiPel (1 lb/acre on June 29) for European corn borer control.

Harvest: Hand harvested on October 13.

Table 25. Early stand, days to half-silk, and ear measurements for the Oakes Irrigation Research Site 1998 ornamental corn performance trial.

Name Seed source^† Early stand Days to half-silk Ear length Ear diameter Ear size Overall score

1000s/acre ----- inches ---- oz/ear 1 to 10

Calico Indian ST 21.8 75 8.5 1.59 6.6 7.0

Cutie Pops ST 38.4 88 4.3 0.99 1.2 8.3

Earth Shades Mixed ST 24.6 87 7.5 1.82 7.7 6.5

Ornamental Popcorn ST 33.3 81 2.5 1.56 1.6 7.6

LSD (0.05) 8.3 2 0.5 0.16 0.7 0.7

C.V. (%) 18 2 6 7 10 6

^†See appendix A for seed source codes.

Table 26. Quantity and yields of ornamental corn in the Oakes Irrigation Research Site 1998 ornamental corn performance trial.

Name
Seed source^† Number of ears Yield with cob Shelled grain yield

marketable total marketable total

---- 1000s/acre ---- ----- lbs/acre ----- bu/acre

Calico Indian ST 13.6 24.3 5580 8860 116.4

Cutie Pops ST 50.5 74.8 3630 4740 69.3

Earth Shades Mixed ST 8.2 19.7 3980 7010 90.5

Ornamental Popcorn ST 28.7 35.4 2920 3230 45.7

LSD (0.05) 7.8 14.9 1527 1737 23.1

C.V. (%) 19 24 24 18 18

^†See appendix A for seed source codes.

RESULTS

Cutie Pops is a popcorn with small multicolored ears. Kernel colors are mostly reds with some black, yellow, and occasionally other colors. Ornamental Popcorn has a short ear with dark red kernels. It is sometimes referred to as "strawberry popcorn". Calico Indian has multicolored ears of reds, blacks, yellows, oranges, and many other color kernels. It is a flint corn with bright colors. Earth Shades Mixed looks like dent field corn with dull, dark red kernels. All the ornamental corn hybrids were late maturing, which could be a problem in North Dakota. Calico Indian, Cutie Pops, and Ornamental Popcorn would do well as decorative corn. The two popcorns could be used as bird feed.

Return to top of ornamental corn performance trial

Go to Oakes Irrigation Research Site Variety Performance Trials

Go to Oakes Irrigation Research Site 1998 annual report

Go to Oakes Irrigation Research Site crop index

Go to Oakes Irrigation Research Site home page

Soil:	Maddock sandy loam and Egeland loam; pH=7.4; 2.5% organic matter; soil-P and soil-K were very high; soil-S was very low.
Previous crops:	1997 - carrot and onion; 1996 - pumpkin, squash, and cucumber; 1995 - carrot.
Seedbed preparation:	Disked on 31 October 1997. Multiweeded to incorporate fertilizer and smooth seed bed on May 7.
Planting:	Planted May 13 in 30-inch rows. Popcorn planted at 39,000 seeds/acre. Indian and field corn planted at 26,000 seeds/acre.
Plots:	17 ft long by 12.5 ft (5 rows) wide. There were 4 reps.
Fertilizer:	On April 13, broadcast 14 lbs N/acre and 70 lbs P₂O₅/acre as 10-50-0, 16 lbs N/acre and 19 lbs S/acre as 21-0-0-24, and 94 lbs K₂0/acre as 0-0-60. Sprayed 50 lbs N/acre as 28-0-0 on May 6. Knifed in 80 lbs of N/acre as 28-0-0 on June 26. Fertigated 40 lbs N/acre as 28-0-0 on July 9.
Irrigation:	Overhead sprinkler irrigation as needed.
Pest Control:	Weeds were controlled by Dual + Bladex (1.5 pt + 1.5 lb/acre on May 18) and cultivation (June 26). Sprayed DiPel (1 lb/acre on June 29) for European corn borer control.
Harvest:	Hand harvested on October 13.

Name	Seed source^†	Early stand	Days to half-silk	Ear length	Ear diameter	Ear size	Overall score
		1000s/acre		----- inches ----		oz/ear	1 to 10
Calico Indian	ST	21.8	75	8.5	1.59	6.6	7.0
Cutie Pops	ST	38.4	88	4.3	0.99	1.2	8.3
Earth Shades Mixed	ST	24.6	87	7.5	1.82	7.7	6.5
Ornamental Popcorn	ST	33.3	81	2.5	1.56	1.6	7.6

LSD (0.05)		8.3	2	0.5	0.16	0.7	0.7
C.V. (%)		18	2	6	7	10	6

Name	Seed source^†	Number of ears		Yield with cob		Shelled grain yield
Name	Seed source^†	marketable	total	marketable	total	Shelled grain yield
		---- 1000s/acre ----		----- lbs/acre -----		bu/acre
Calico Indian	ST	13.6	24.3	5580	8860	116.4
Cutie Pops	ST	50.5	74.8	3630	4740	69.3
Earth Shades Mixed	ST	8.2	19.7	3980	7010	90.5
Ornamental Popcorn	ST	28.7	35.4	2920	3230	45.7

LSD (0.05)		7.8	14.9	1527	1737	23.1
C.V. (%)		19	24	24	18	18