Effect of Seed Moisturization and Fungicide Treatment on Final Stand of Low Vigor Shrunken‐2 Sweet Corn Inbreds

Seed moisturization and fungicide treatments were evaluated as methods to improve sweet corn ( Zea mays L.) stand establishment. Seed of three shrunken‐2 ( sh‐2,Su ), three double mutant ( sh‐2,su ), one sugary ( Sh‐2,su ), and one dent ( Sh‐2,Su ) inbreds were treated with captan (cis‐N‐Trichloromethylthio‐4‐cyclohexene‐1, 2‐dicarboximide), captan/imazalil (1‐[2‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl) ‐2‐(2‐propenyloxy)ethyl]‐1H‐imidazole) a blank (no fungicide) formulation, or left untreated. Samples of each fungicide treatment were adjusted to 6 to 7% and 14 to 15% H 2 O prior to planting once in 1987 and twice in 1988. Stressful conditions were created by irrigating immediately after planting. Captan increased stand by up to 30%. Captan plus imazalil improved stand over captan alone by up to 36% only in the sh‐2,su lines. Moisturization did not interact with fungicide treatment. Moisturization had no effect in the 29 Apr. 1987 planting, but reduced final stand by 6% in the 15 June 1988 planting. In the 18 Apr. 1988 planting, under cooler conditions, moisturization improved stand by 16% in one, and decreased stand by 4% in another sh‐2,su line. The results show that moisturization was not beneficial for sweet corn inbreds emerging under a wide range of conditions.