SELECTING OPTIMUM PLANTING DATE FOR SWEET CORN IN PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Planting at proper time and selection of suitable variety are important components of cropping system. The present study was conducted at New Developmental Farm, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan during 2008 to document some phenological stages and grain yield of landraces of sweet corn planted on different dates. RCBD with split plot arrangement was used. Sweet corn landraces, MNG, MNS, SWB, PRC and cv. Azam were planted on 5 dates i.e. 17 March, 30 April, 17 May, 21 June, and 26 July. Days to tasseling, silking, maturity, grain yield and harvest index were significantly affected by sowing dates, landraces and their interaction. Days to tasseling and silking enhanced as the planting was delayed. Days to maturity decreased when sowing was delayed from March to June, however further delay in sowing increased number of days to maturity. Azam gave maximum grain yield (4569 kg ha^-1) followed by landrace SWB sown on 26th July. Maximum harvest index was recorded by Azam when planted on 21st June and 26th July.