DIFERENÇAS FISIOLÓGICAS ENTRE GENÓTIPOS DE MILHO DOCE (su-1) E MILHO COMUM DURANTE O DESENVOLVIMENTO

This work aimed to verify the influence of physiological characteristics of sweet corn (H43IN) and maize (UENF 506-8), at development stages, in carbohydrate contents and productivity in this species. These studies were conducted under field conditions at Colegio Agricola Antonio Sarlo, in Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ. The experiments were developed from September to January / 2004. The physiological characteristics were investigated in four periods: period III of plant growth, V and VII reproductive and IX plant senescence. The physiological characteristics (net photosynthesis rate, leaf to air vapor pressure deficit, and stomatal conductance), observed during the different phenological cycles showed significant differences between the two genotypes. The sugar and starch contents determinated at stages V and VII also showed differences, as we expected, and the productivity in maize was higher than in sweet corn.