Agriculture Agri Food Canada Sugarcorn Variety Evaluation
Lana Reid Ph.D – AAFC Research Scientist Ottawa Research and Development Centre
To evaluate the potential for production of varieties of corn with high stalk sugar content in the Parkland region.
The corn varieties tested at Roblin grew well. Ear formation was late, ranging from the second to fourth week of August, resulting in negligible yields. However, stalk production was excellent. The biomass and stalk sugar content were not tested, but PCDF intends to repeat the test in 2019, with plans to evaluate biomass and sugar content at that time.
The project evaluated six lines of cold-tolerant corn identified by Lana Reid and others as having high stalk sugar content. Reid’s findings suggest that the varieties tested have the potential to be a valuable source of ethanol and silage.