SWEET CORN (ZEA-MAYS) CULTIVAR TOLERANCE TO APPLICATION TIMING OF NICOSULFURON

'Silver Xtra Sweet', 'How Sweet It Is', 'Zenith' and 'Sweetie 76' were evaluated for response to 0, 35, and 70 g/ha nicosulfuron applied POS T at the 5- to 6- or 7- to 8-leaf stages of growth. Nicosulfuron (35 g /ha) caused 60 to 80% visible injury to Silver Xtra Sweet. How Sweet I t Is and Zenith were moderately tolerant (< 20% visible injury) and Sw eetie 76 was the most tolerant (10% visible injury). All cultivars wer e less tolerant when nicosulfuron was applied at the 7- to 8-leaf than the 5- to 6-leaf stage. Plant height of Silver Xtra Sweet was reduced 51% by 35 gl ha nicosulfuron applied at the 5- to 6-leaf stage and in jury increased when nicosulfuron was applied at the 7- to 8-leaf stage . Yield losses of Silver Xtra Sweet occurred as a result of the nicosu lfuron treatments.