Abstract

AVILA, Manuel E; BORGES, Orangel L  and  BERNAEZ, Julio C. Plant biometric characterization and cob sensory quality of super sweet corn ‘Delicia’ (bt1). Bioagro [online]. 2009, vol.21, n.2, pp.143-148. ISSN 1316-3361.

The characterization of super sweet corn cultivars in Venezuela has been conducted using introduced seed of commercial hybrids with the shrunken-2 (sh2) gene. These cultivars have shown a good cob quality but with agronomic limitations regarding adaptation to tropical conditions. This research was carried out to determine biometric parameters and sensory quality of the  super sweet hybrid Delicia carrying the brittle-1 gene, obtained  in breeding programs carried out under the tropical conditions of Venezuela. The experimental plots were established at Corocito in Villa de Cura, Aragua State , Venezuela. The data for biometrical characterization and sampling of cobs for sensorial evaluation were obtained 23 days after silking. The cobs were evaluated by a trained panel using a sensorial profile with the attributes of appearance, texture and flavor. The biometrical characterization of the Delicia hybrid showed a weight of husked ears of 15,347 kg·ha^-1 and a good husk covering which minimizes damages due to insects and rots. Ear characteristics were adequate for industrial processing. The sensory evaluation indicated that grains can be described as of intense yellow color, turgid, and very sweet. The results showed the aptitude of this hybrid, carrying the bt1 gene, for production of high quality corn ears in Venezuela.

Keywords : Sensory evaluation; corn cob; brittle-1gene; tropics.