Response of integrated nitrogen management on winter baby corn's (Zea mays L.) growth, yield and economics

Abstract

Baby corn is a de-husked, immature maize ear picked before fertilization after 1-2 days of silking at 2–3 cm long silk stage. Nitrogen (N) is the primary nutrient required for rapid plant growth and development. Combined uses of organic and inorganic sources possess more agronomic and environmental benefits than inorganic ones. Organic manures, viz., farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost (VC) are important sources of plant nutrients sustaining soil physic-chemical and biological properties and crop yield. Investigations are needed to determine the location-specific information on integrated management of recommended doses of nitrogen (RDN) for the winter season crop. An experiment executed in a randomized block design with seven treatments to assess response to various options of integrated nitrogen management for efficient utilization by winter baby corn. Maximum plant height (cm), number of green leaves plant-1, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation plant-1 (g) noted with application of 100 % RDN + 25% RDN as VC. Similarly, yield attributes viz., baby cob, baby corn and green fodder yield were also significantly higher with 100 % RDN + 25 % RDN as VC over other treatments. Results suggest winter baby corn (CMVL Baby Corn 2) be grown with the application of 100 % RDN (150 kg ha-1) as an inorganic source + 25 % RDN (37.5 kg ha-1) as VC to achieve higher yield and net returns.