Biochemical, Physiological and Productivity Responses of Sweet Corn Genotypes Under Organic and Chemical Fertilization

Sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) is a widely spread crop that is highly valued for its sweet taste and high nutrient content. Over the past decade, there has been an exponential increase in the area devoted to sweet corn for grain production, attributed to both its nutritional qualities and economic value. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the impact of three genotypes (Deliciosul de Bacau, Royalty F1, and Hardy F1) and two fertilization types (chemical and organic) plus an unfertilized control, on yield, biometrical, biochemical, and quality indicators at an experimental station during 2022–2023. The results revealed significant influences of cultivar, fertilization method, and the interaction between these two experimental factors on most of the analysed indicators. Regardless of the fertilization type, the genotype Hardy F1 showed higher levels of photosynthetic activity, polyphenols and sucrose, leading to greater yield than that of Deliciosul de Bacau. The latter genotype and Royalty F1 displayed the highest chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, and lycopene contents in the grain. The results of the present research emphasize the importance of adopting and monitoring sustainable agricultural practices to enhance both the production and quality of sweet corn, particularly referring to the nutritional value, and address the growing demand for organically cultivated products within the current context of climate change.