Moseby's White Prolific, Corn Seed

Moseby's White Prolific Corn Seed

Prolific white dent ears form on exceptionally tall stalks
Historic Mississippi variety dates to the nineteenth century
Multiple ears can reward fertile, warm-season fields
White grain suits meal, hominy, and livestock feed

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Zea mays

Days to maturity

100 Days

Sun

Full Sun

About Moseby's White Prolific, Corn Seed, Corn Seed

Moseby White Prolific is an old and popular dent corn variety first developed in 1876 by J.K. Moseby of Mississippi. Produces strong and tall stalks often reaching 10-12' tall with 2-4 ears. Ears often reach 8-9" with creamy white kernels. By the early 1900s, most of the major Southern seed houses, as well as newspapers full of farmer's advertisements, were selling the seed. Although now fairly rare, 'Moseby Prolific' was once extensively grown for feed and silage; particularly in the South and Gulf States.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Days to Germination

4–10 days

In-row plant spacing

8-12"

Row Spacing

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

Above 96 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

Color

White

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Warm-Season Crop

Before Planting

Corn benefits from a full-sun, warm site with fertile, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Incorporate compost and adjust nutrients and pH according to a soil test, avoiding excessive nitrogen. Wait until frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed; harden transplants and install supports before planting when the crop requires them.

Planting

Direct sow corn after frost danger has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 60°F, or about 65°F for supersweet types. Plant in several short adjacent rows rather than one long row to improve wind pollination. Keep the seedbed evenly moist through emergence. Space plants 8–12 inches apart in rows about 30–36 inches apart.

Watering

Provide about 1–1½ inches of water weekly, increasing during hot weather. Consistent moisture is most important during tasseling, silking, and ear filling; water deeply at soil level.

Fertilizer

Side-dress corn with nitrogen when plants begin rapid growth and again if soil tests or leaf color indicate need. Avoid placing concentrated fertilizer against stems or roots.

Harvesting

Harvest sweet corn when silks are brown, husks remain green, and punctured kernels release milky juice. Twist ears downward to remove them and cool promptly. Leave dry or ornamental corn until kernels harden and husks dry.

Tips

Plant corn in blocks rather than a single long row for better wind pollination. Separate varieties with different maturity dates or adequate distance when cross-pollination could affect eating quality.

AVG. Seeding Rate

1M/500', 5M/2,500', 25M/12,500', 30M/acre at 2 seeds/ft. in rows 36" apart.

Pests & Diseases

Northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot, common rust, smut, and ear rots are major corn diseases. Choose resistant hybrids and rotate or bury infected residue. Remove smut galls before they rupture. Moldy ears may contain mycotoxins; discard them rather than feeding or saving affected grain.

Corn earworms, European corn borers, armyworms, cutworms, wireworms, and birds are common. Monitor silks and whorls, use appropriate biological controls, rotate fields, and protect ripening ears when necessary.