Objective The study aims to explore the influence of sowing date on the yield and quality of waxy corn varieties, so as to provide theoretical basis and technical guidance for the production practice of waxy corn in South China.

Method The study adopted a two-factor split area design, with 2 sowing dates (August 15 and August 25) and 5 varieties (Yueheitiannuo 1, Yuecaitiannuo 5, Yuecainuo 2, Yuebaitiannuo 12, Yuebaitiannuo 168) as the treatment factors, and investigated the growth period, plant height, ear length, yield and quality of fresh waxy corn.

Result With the delay of the sowing date, the whole growth period of the autumn sowing waxy corn is gradually extended. The whole growth period of the five varieties was extended by 13, 11, 10, 11 and 12 days, respectively, among which the extension period was mainly reflected in the vegetative growth stage to tasseling stage. Except for ear length and ear size, the delay of sowing date increased the plant height, ear position height, stem size, fresh weight, ear weight, baldness, ear number and grain number of waxy corn, but at the same time, the quality and yield showed a downward trend. The yield of Yuecaitiannuo 5 increased by 32% with the delay of sowing date, while the yield of Yueheitiannuo 1, Yuecainuo 2, Yuebaitiannuo 12 and Yuebaitiannuo 168 decreased by 11%, 5%, 9% and 4%, respectively. In addition, the correlation analysis can show that the effective accumulated temperature of the whole birth period around 1200 ℃·d is more conducive to ensuring a higher harvest index and then obtaining a high yield. Meteorological factors also have a significant influence on the yield of waxy corn. Among them, the daily average temperature corstrongly correlation with yield, and the correlation coefficient between the two is 0.932, which is the main meteorological factor affecting the yield of fresh waxy corn. Accordingly, This indicates that in the autumn waxy corn production, it is necessary to pay attention to the monitoring and prediction of meteorological conditions to develop better develop agronomic measures and improve yield and quality.

Conclusion The influence of waxy corn yield and quality is mainly reflected in the emergence to the male, during this period, waxy corn to higher temperature requirements, if the temperature is too low will lead to its nutritional growth period, growth rate and cause production, in waxy corn production, choose suitable for yield and quality has important role, Autumn waxy corn in South China is suitable for sowing around August 15.