Response of sweet corn to irrigation and fertilizer treatments on clayey soils under climate change conditions

Abstract

Study of response of sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Sturt) to irrigation levels (0.6, 0.8, 1.0 IW:CPE i.e. irrigation water: cumulative pan evaporation) and fertilizer doses (control, 90–45, 12060, 150-75 kg N-P2O5/ha), was conducted during rabi seasons of 2011 and 2012 on medium black clayey soil of Junagadh (Gujarat). Results indicated that irrigation at 0.8 IW:CPE being at par with 1.0 IW:CPE enhanced growth and yield attributes and thereby green cob and fodder yield along with higher net returns and B:C ratio over irrigation at 0.6 IW:CPE. Findings with the application of 120-60 kg N-P2O5/ha was reflected at par with 150-75 kg N-P2O5/ha improved growth and yield attributes and ultimately higher green cob and fodder yields with higher net returns and B:C ratio over control and 90–45 kg N-P2O5/ha. Therefore, irrigation at 0.8 IW:CPE and fertilizer dose of 120-60 kg NP2O5/ha might be applied for higher yield and economical realization from rabi sweet corn along with judicial use of water and fertilizer under changing climate scenario.