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Five supersweet cultivars of corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa) were planted in fields and growth chambers to compare potassium effects on seedling development at low temperatures. In fields, seeds were planted at Urbana, IL, in 1991 when soil temperatures were 15C(April) and 23C(June). Potassium chloride(KCl) was banded at 0, 45 or 90 kg KCl/ha. After 32 days `Illini Gold', `Florida Staysweet', and `Crisp'n`Sweet' were more developed than `Honey'n`Pearl' and `How Sweet It Is' as indicated by emergence, height, leaf area and number, and weight in April. However for June, cultivar differences were observed only for emergence. KCl had no effect on any cultivars. In chambers, seeds were planted in trays(6×22×30 cm) of vermiculite mixed with 0, 5 or 10 g KCl/tray at 17 and 26C. After 15 days, cultivar responses at both temperatures were similar to those at the April field planting except at 26C where none differed for emergence. KCl only affected seedlings at 26C when 10 g/tray slowed development. Thus more differences were found between cultivars at lower than higher temperatures, and potassium did not improve seedling development at low temperatures.