Production potential, quality and soil health of newly introduced baby corn as influenced by best management practices in eastern Himalayas

Abstract

Management of the newly introduced short duration and high economic value crops like baby corn in acidic soil is poorly understood and related information is scarce in particular to eastern India. Keeping these things in view, a field study was conducted during the two consecutive winter seasons (2013–2014 and 2014–2015) to assess the effect of best management practices (application of straw mulch, doses of lime and integrated nutrition) on production potential, quality and soil health in baby corn under the acidic soil of eastern Himalaya. Yields, economics and quality of baby corn were increased significantly with application of straw mulch @ 5 t ha−1 as compared to without mulch. Yield of baby corn increases with increasing levels of liming up to 1.0 t ha−1. Also, higher quality parameters were noted in same treatment. Application of 1.0 t lime ha−1 also improved the soil fertility status after crop harvest. Baby cob, baby corn, green fodder and dry fodder yields was significantly higher with 100% RDF + 25% RDF (through farm yard manures as organic nitrogen ON). This treatment also improved nitrogen content, their uptake and protein content in baby corn, cob husk and green fodder compared to control. Economic parameters were significantly higher with applications of 100% RDF + 25% RDF (ON). Higher doses of integrated nutrition [100% RDF + 25% RDF (ON)] also enhanced the soil health. Thus, it may be concluded that baby corn should be grown with straw mulching and integrated nutrition of 100% RDF + 25% RDF (ON) along with liming of 1.0 t ha−1 to achieve the higher productivity, quality and soil health under acidic soil of eastern Himalaya.