Effects of nitrogen application and intra-row spacing on growth and yield of baby corn in north-west Ethiopia

Abstract

Baby corn production is relatively a new venture in Ethiopia including in north-west part of the country. Accordingly, the agronomic practices including rate of nitrogen and intra-row spacing specific to the area is not well known, which obviously influence the productivity of the crop. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of identifying the optimum rate of nitrogen and intra row spacing for enhanced growth and yield responses of the crop in the study area. Field experiment was conducted during 2020/2021 irrigation season where baby corn variety SG-17 was used as test crop. The experiment consisted of factorial combination of five nitrogen levels (0, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha−1 N) and three intra row spacing (15, 25 and 35 cm). The results of the study had shown that intra row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer influenced most of the tested parameters. Treatment combination of 200 kg ha−1 nitrogen and 15 cm intra row spacing recorded tallest plants, thickest stems, highest leaf area index, ear weight and length and highest baby corn and stover yields which could be proposed for the production of baby corn in the study area and areas with similar agro-ecologies. Introduction and adaptation trails on different baby corn varieties could be also considered in the future line of work.