Fruit set should increase when temperatures moderate. Hot, dry winds and dry soil conditions during pollination may result in poorly filled ears. Improper planting may also affect pollination. Corn is wind pollinated, plant sweet corn and popcorn in blocks of 4 or more short rows to insure pollination. Water the plants during pollination if the soil is dry.
Bitterness develops when plants are subjected to stressful growing conditions.
Stressful conditions include high temperatures, drought, and disease problems. Bitterness can be reduced by watering plants during dry periods and practicing good disease control. Sweet Slice' and 'Burpless Hybrid' have fewer problems. Secondary organisms invade the affected tissue and cause the fruit to rot. Wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels impair calcium uptake by the root system.