Yield and economics of sweet corn (Zea mays L. Saccharata) as influenced by plant densities and nitrogen management in irrigated condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2017-18 to study the yield and economics of sweet corn (Zea mays L. Saccharata) as influenced by plant densities and nitrogen management in irrigated condition at Agricultural Research Station, Siruguppa, Karnataka. The soil of the experimental site was clay in texture, low in organic carbon, available N, medium in available phosphorus and high in potassium. The experiment consisted of sixteen treatment combinations of four plant densities viz., S1:1,11,111, S2:74,074, S3:83,333 and S3:55,555 plants ha-1 in main plots and four nitrogen levels F1:150 kg N ha-1, F2:187.5 kg N ha-1, F3:225 kg N ha-1 and F4: 262.5 kg N ha-1 in sub plots. Plant density 1,11,111 plants ha-1 recorded significantly higher fresh cob yield (13350 kg ha-1) and fresh stover yield (25299 kg ha-1) compared to other plant densities. On the contrary yield parameters viz., number of grains per row, number of rows per cob, cob girth, cob length, cob weight and test weight were higher in plant density of 55,555 plants ha-1 compared to other plant densities. Among the nitrogen levels, application of 262.5 kg N ha-1 registered significantly higher fresh cob yield (13866 kg ha-1), fresh stover yield (24873 kg ha-1) and yield parameters viz., number of grains per row, number of rows per cob, cob girth, cob length, cob weight and test weight as compared to other nitrogen levels. Higher net returns (Rs. 1,40,876 ha-1) and minimum B:C (2.95) was recorded with plant density of 1,11,111 plants ha-1 compared to rest of the plant densities and it was on par with 83,333 plants ha-1 with net returns (Rs.137521 ha-1) and B:C (3.36). Among the nitrogen levels, application of 262.5 kg N ha-1 has recorded significantly higher net returns (Rs. 1,59,020 ha-1) and B:C (3.61) compared to other N levels and it was closely followed application of 225 kg N ha-1.