Hengli Sweet Corn

Hengli Sweet Corn

　　Based on years of planting experience, farmers in Hengli Town have found that the Taiwanese “Huazhen” variety is best suited to local cultivation. This variety exhibits strong growth vigor, high resistance to northern and southern leaf blight as well as stalk rot, and resistance to head smut and Curvularia leaf spot. However, it is highly susceptible to gray leaf spot, sheath blight, and ear rot. It is also vulnerable to corn borer damage. The seed coat is thin, the eating quality is good, and the market benefits are strong. The plant type is semi-compact, with a plant height of 150–160 cm, an ear height of 80–90 cm, an ear length of 20 cm, an ear diameter of 4.8 cm, 14–16 rows of kernels, yellow kernels, large kernel size, thin husk, and high sugar content. The kernels have high total sugar, reducing sugar, and dry matter content. The average fresh ear yield is 800–850 kg per mu, with a comprehensive average income of 1,500–1,600 yuan per mu.

　　The Hengli area is located on the edge of a fertile alluvial plain, formed by sediment deposits from rivers and the sea. The soil is predominantly clay loam, with deep layers exceeding 2 meters in depth, strong fertility and water retention capabilities, and rich in organic matter and minerals (organic matter 1.6%, total nitrogen 0.14%, 10.16%, total potassium 1.1%, available nitrogen 1,140 ppm, available phosphorus 22.4 ppm, available potassium 177 ppm, copper 59.2 ppm, calcium 1,600 ppm, magnesium 5,700 ppm, iron 4.6%, zinc 101 ppm). The pH of the plow layer ranges from 7.5 to 7.9. The fertile soil provides ideal conditions for sweet corn cultivation, not only ensuring high yields but also producing complete, attractive, nutritious cobs with a unique flavor.

　　In particular, the 300-mu corn field planted by the Xingsheng Sweet Corn Professional Cooperative in Fengma Second Village of our town obtained pollution-free agricultural product origin certification in 2007, pollution-free agricultural product certification in 2009, and was successfully rated as a Guangzhou Standardized Demonstration Base in 2013.

　　After more than ten years of planting, the villagers of Hengli Town have continuously refined their sweet corn cultivation techniques and expanded the scale of planting. Starting in 2004, to meet new consumer tastes and market demands, they vigorously developed pollution-free cultivation, using only organic fertilizers. The resulting sweet corn is sweet and flavorful, enjoying great popularity whether eaten fresh or cooked.

　　Historical experience tells us that planting sweet corn should be approached like growing vegetables—selecting good land and ensuring fine land preparation. When soil moisture is appropriate, plow the field and then harrow it with a rotary cultivator to achieve fine, crumbly soil that is loose on top and firm underneath. Since sweet corn (especially supersweet corn) has low starch content in its kernels, making them appear less plump, and the seedlings have weak emergence strength, seeds should not be sown too deeply. A covering of about 6 cm is generally sufficient to ensure full emergence, while also paying attention to preventing pests during the seedling stage. Planting density should be rational. Appropriate density depends on the variety characteristics, natural geographic climate, and fertilizer-water management level. It is particularly important to note that sweet corn is entirely a commercial product, so attention must be paid to the product characteristics of the ears, rather than simply focusing on yield per mu. Since ears are graded for purchase—especially those intended for export or processing—it is essential to maximize the proportion of first- and second-grade products. The optimal planting density should be determined based on product requirements and economic benefits, aiming to achieve higher economic returns per unit area.

　　Sweet corn is widely adaptable and offers high returns. It is sweet, tender, and not suitable for long-term storage, which often limits it due to cultivation conditions and market factors. The key to successfully growing sweet corn lies in mastering seedling cultivation and techniques to prevent cross-pollination, as well as understanding its production and cultivation techniques. The sweet corn cultivation in our town complies with Guangdong Province's production technical regulations, offering clear advantages.