Cob Yield Research Articles

Effect of Crop Geometry and Seaweed (Kappaphycus & Gracilaria) Extract on Growth and Yield of Baby corn (Zea mays)

A field experiment was conducted during Zaid, 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), organic carbon (0.74%), available N (273.57 kg/ha), available P (31.97 kg/ha), and available K (335 kg/ha). The treatments comprised of crop geometry and foliar application of Seaweed Extract (Kappaphycus alvarezii & Gracialria). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with nine treatments each replicated thrice. The results showed that viz: Plant height (166.30 cm), plant dry weight (115.82 g/plant) were recorded significantly higher in Spacing 45 x 25 cm along with foliar application of 10% (K. sap + G.sap) spray. Number of cobs per plant (1.39), cob length with husk (22.32 cm), cob length without husk (8.34 cm), cob girth with husk (7.78 cm), cob girth without husk (5.15 cm), cob weight with husk (67.48 g), cob weight without husk (24.92 g), cob yield with husk (15.50 t/ha), cob yield without husk (5.28 t/ha), green fodder yield (30.35 t/ha) were recorded significantly higher. Thus, crop geometry with foliar application of seaweed extract (Kappaphycus alvarezii) could be a promising option for yield enhancement in baby-corn.

Effect of Phosphorus and Potassium on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

Field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2021 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). The soil in the experimental plot was sandy loam texture, almost neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), low in organic carbon (0.36%), available N (171.48 kg/ha), available P (15.2 kg/ ha) and available K (232.5 kg/ha). The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design with nine treatments each replicated three times based on a one-year experiment with different levels of Phosphorous and Potassium. The results showed that application of 70 kg/ha Phosphorous + 25 kg/ha Potassium was recorded significantly Plant height (162.73 cm), No. of leaves/plant (13.26), Plant dry weight (108.06 g/plant), Cobs/Plant (1.34), Length of Cob/plant (19.29 cm), Girth of Cob/plant (7.64 cm), Cob weight with husk (65.09 g), cob weight without husk (23.63 g), cob yield with husk (15.14 t/ha), Cob yield without husk (5.16 t/ha) as compared to other treatments.

Effect of Seed Inoculation and Seaweed Extract on Growth and Yield of Baby-corn (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted during Zaid, 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P), India. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), organic carbon (0.69%), available N (271.81 kg/ha), available P (30.19 kg/ha), and available K (331 kg/ha). The treatments comprised of seed inoculation of bio-fertilizer and foliar application of Seaweed Extract Kappaphycus alvarezii (K. sap). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with nine treatments each replicated thrice for 60 days. The results showed that viz: Plant height (167.50 cm), plant dry weight (116.69 g/plant) were recorded significantly higher in Azotobacter Seed Inoculation along with 15% K.sap spray. Number of cobs per plant (1.38), cob length with husk (21.40 cm), cob length without husk (8.36 cm), cob girth with husk (8.45 cm), cob girth without husk (5.83 cm), cob weight with husk (68.09 g), cob weight without husk (25.53 g), cob yield with husk (16.20 t/ha), cob yield without husk (5.68 t/ha), green fodder yield (31.05 t/ha) were recorded significantly higher. Thus, biofertilizer with foliar application of Seaweed Extract (K. sap) could be a promising option for yield enhancement in baby-corn.

Influence of Nutrient Sources and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Babycorn (Zea mays L.)

Back Ground: The experiment was done on Baby corn crop it is a cereal grain taken from corn harvested early while the stalks are still small and immature, it contains 4.7 grams of carbs, 2.5 grams protein, 25 calories. Nitrogen deficiency is the major problem in these days it leads to stunted root and shoot growth and shoot water stress so nitrogen taken in highest quantity, by using chemical nitrogen crop growth will be faster but later on it leads to soil acidification. but by using organic manures we can provide nutrients required by plants and also it maintains CN ratio, maintain soil health and it doesn’t reduces yield.
 Objectives: To evaluate the effect of nutrient sources and zinc on growth and yield of babycorn.Methods: with goal of studying effect of nutrient sources and zinc on growth and yield of babycorn under Randomised Block Design with 9 treatments (T1-T9). The experiment details revealed that T9 [Vermicompost 3.3t/ha + Zinc 1.00 ppm foliar spray] produced maximum Plant height, dry weight, maximum crop growth rate at 45 DAS to 60 DAS interval, highest Number of cobs/ plant, highest length of cob, highest girth of cob, maximum cob weight with husk, highest cob weight without husk, highest cob yield, green fodder yield.
 Conclusion: The combination of Vermicompost 3.3t/ha + Zinc 1.00 ppm foliar spray produced maximum Plant height (176.75 cm) and highest dry weight (88.42 g/plant) maximum crop growth rate at 45 DAS to 60 DAS interval (47.73 g/m2/day), highest Number of cobs/ plant (2.64), highest length of cob (17.89 cm), highest girth of cob (12.72 cm), maximum cob weight with husk (47.57 g/cob), highest cob weight without husk (11.71 g/cob) highest cob yield (6.07 tons/ha), green fodder yield (37.42 tons/ha).

Impact of Drone Spraying of Nutrients on Growth and Yield of Maize Crop

This study aimed at utilizing unmanned aerial vehicle in place of a conventional hand sprayer for the smart delivery of agricultural inputs especially crop nutrients. A field experiment was conducted in the farms of Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. There were nine treatments which were replicated thrice in a randomized block design. The treatments include NPK 19:19:19 along with liquid micronutrient, humic acid, and TNAU Maize maxim at two intervals viz., 50% Tasselling, and Cob filling stage. These nutrients were applied as foliar spray through battery operated and fuel operated drones and were compared with knapsack hand sprayer. Biometric observations such as plant height, leaf area, dry matter accumulation and yield parameters such as cob yield and number of grains per cob were observed during the critical crop growth stages. Foliar application of nutrients through drones had a significant influence on the growth and yield of maize crop. TNAU Maize maxim applied using the fuel-operated drone with an atomizer nozzle (T7) @ 30 lit/ac spray fluid recorded the maximum biometric and yield attributes than other treatments. Improved biometric attributes like plant height of 261.2 cm and 270.32 cm, LAI of 4.14 and 5.15, and DMP of 12354 kg/ha and 18564 kg/ha at 60 DAS and 90 DAS, respectively was recorded with drone spray. It also resulted in a grain and stover yield of 7195 kg/ha and 10942 kg/ha, respectively than hand sprayer.

Response of Different Biofertilizers and Zinc Levels on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The study aims to highlights the effect of different biofertilizers and zinc levels on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays. L). The study was conducted during Rabi 2021 at crop Research farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, (U.P), India. The soil of this experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), in low organic carbon (0.36%), available N (171.48 kg/ha), available P (15.2kg/ha), available K (232.5 kg/ha). This experiment was performed in Randomised Block Design with nine treatments each replicated thrice on the basis of one-year experimentation. The treatments which are T1: Azospirillum+ZnSo4 10 kg/ha, T2: Azospirillium­+0.1% ZnSo4, T3: Azospirillum+0.2% ZnSo4, T4: Azotobacter + ZnSo4 10 kg/ha, T5: Azotobacter + 0.1% ZnSo4, T6: Azotobacter + 0.2% ZnSo4, T7: Azotobacter + Azospirillum + ZnSo4 10 kg/ha, T8: Azotobacter + Azospirillum + 0.1% ZnSo4, T9: Azotobacter + Azospirillum + 0.2% ZnSo4. The results showed that application of Azotobacter + Azospirillum + 0.2% ZnSo4 was recorded significantly higher Plant height (195.29 cm), Plant dry weight (183.65 g/plant), Whereas significantly highest crop growth rate (5.31 g/m2/day) was recorded with the treatment Azospirillum + ZnSo4 10 kg/ha. Significantly maximum Cobs/plant (2.60), Cob length (27.17 cm), Rows/cob (15.19), Grains/cob (30.16), weight of grains/cob (140.88 g), seed index (230.66), Cob yield (6.33 t/ha), Stover yield (14.30 t/ha), Harvest index (30.67%), Gross returns (Rs.107553.00/ha), Net returns (Rs.71570.00/ha) and Benefit cost ratio (1.99) were obtained with application of Azotobacter + Azospirillum + 0.2% ZnSo4 as compared to other treatments.

Efficient Need Based Nitrogen Management in Rabi Maize (Zea mays L.) using Leaf Colour Chart Under Varied Planting Density

The field experiments were conducted for two consecutive rabi seasons (November –March) of 2017–18 and 2018–19 at the Wet land farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati to calibrate leaf colour chart (LCC) for increasing growth yield, nitrogen uptake under varied plant density to establish and evaluate threshold leaf colour greenness as a guide for in-season need based fertilizer N in maize. Research results indicated that the planting density, nitrogen levels and LCC threshold values significantly influenced all the growth and yield attributes, yield and nitrogen uptake. Plant height, days required to 50% tasselling and silking, cob yield, harvest index and nitrogen uptake increased significantly with increase in plant density i.e., 1,11,111 plants ha-1 with application of fertilizer nitrogen at higher dose i.e. 40 kg ha-1 and by using higher LCC threshold value (LCC 5) in different splits. Whereas, leaf area planr-1, cob girth, number of kernels rows cob-1 and number of kernels cob-1 was lessened significantly with increase in planting density, however it was increased with application of nitrogen at higher rate i.e., 40 kg ha-1 by using higher LCC threshold value (LCC 5) at various splits. Eventually, experimental results manifested that, fine-tuning of N dose and time of application by number of splits which synchronize the crop demand was the best management strategy for sustainable crop growth, production and productivity of maize.

Effect of salicylic acid seed priming on morpho-physiological responses and yield of baby corn under salt stress

Rising salinity in the arable lands is a substantial threat to crop production. Exogenously-applied salicylic acid (SA) alleviates the negative impacts of salinity on plants. A factorial pot experiment, consisted of two baby corn hybrid cultivars (PAC 571: salt-tolerant and SG 17 Super: salt-sensitive), three doses of SA (0 [hydropriming], 1, and 2 mM) applied as a seed priming material, and four levels of salinity (0.7 [control], 6, 9, and 12 dS m–1), was conducted to evaluate the impact of SA on baby corn under salt stress. Data on growth, physiological traits, cob yield, and ion content in leaf tissues were collected, which revealed that an increasing salinity level was equally detrimental for the two tested cultivars with varying intensities. At the highest salinity level (12 dS m–1), both cultivars produced no cob, and the same salinity level caused a reduction of 67%, 14%, 42%, 87%, and 37% in shoot dry matter, leaf relative water content, membrane stability index, net photosynthetic rate, and leaf potassium content, respectively, compared with the control across cultivars and SA levels. The same salinity level caused about 3-fold, 10-fold, and 6-fold increases in electrolyte leakage, free proline content, and leaf sodium content, respectively. Seed priming with SA was effective, and 1 mM provided more promising results with an increase of 43%, 45%, 5%, and 7% in root dry matter, cob yield, leaf relative water content, and free proline content at 6 dS m–1 than 0 mM SA at the same salinity level. Salt-tolerant cultivar (PAC 571) had significantly higher cob number plant–1 (30%) and cob yield (34%) than salt-sensitive cultivar (SG 17 Super) at 6 dS m–1. However, there was largely no effect of SA seed priming on other evaluated parameters at 9 and 12 dS m–1 salinity levels. Priming of seeds with 1 mM SA could be a promising approach for baby corn production under a moderate salinity level up to 6 dS m–1. However, harmful effects of extreme salinity (9 and 12 dS m–1) cannot be completely compensated for SA seed priming.

Effect of date of sowing and row spacing on yield attributes and yield of baby corn

A field experiment was carried out at the Instrutional-Cum-Research farm. Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat in the year of 2017-18, during Rabi season. The treatment consisted of two different factors, viz., four dates of sowing 31st October (D1), 10th November (D2), 20th November (D3) and 30th November (D4) and three row spacing 60 cm x 20 cm (S1), 45 cm x 20 cm (S2) and 30 cm x 20 cm (S3). Experimental findings revealed that almost all the yield attributes such as number of cobs per plant, cob length, cob girth, cob weight and baby corn yield were significantly influenced by different dates of sowing. In most of cases early sowing on 31st October and 10th November were statistically at par and shown their superiority over late sowing on 20th November and 30th November sown crop. Results showed that wider spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm had significantly higher number of cobs plant-1, weight of cob and length of cob and cob girth, however, the lowest values were found at 30 cm x 20 cm spacing. Yield of cob with husk, without husk was found to be the higher under spacing 45 cm x 20 cm (88.24 q ha-1 and 20.79 q ha-1, respectively). Cob yield with husk obtained under 45 cm x 20 cm spacing increased by 8.40, 17.57 per cent over other spacing viz., 60 cm x 20 cm and 30 cm x 20 cm, respectively.

Influence of Iron and Bio-Fertilizer on Growth Parameters and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) Prayagraj Condition

Back Ground: Baby corn maize (Zea mays L.) is a highly profitable alternative to farmers due to its short crop duration, being harvested at the juvenile stage. It demands large amounts of nutrients in a short time. Iron micronutrients gives higher yield as they play major role in assimilation rate and metabolic activities in plant. Biofertilizers are required to restore the fertility of the soil. Prolonged use of chemical fertilizers degrades the soil and affects baby corn yield.
 Objectives: Effect of iron and bio-fertilizers on growth and yield of baby corn.
 Methods: With the goal of studying the effect of iron and bio-fertilizers on growth and yield of Baby corn (Zea mays L.) Var. ABV - 04 under a Randomized block design with 8 treatments (T1-T8).The experimental results revealed that 0.5% FeSO4 (3g/lit of water) + Azotobacter seed inoculation (200 g/10kg of seed) produced maximum plant height (185.27), number of leaves/plant(12.58),plant dry weight (89.28) and yield parameters cobs/plant (2.34), cob weight without husk (12.34g), cob yield with husk(10.81 t/ha), and cob yield without husk(3.91t/ha).
 Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that 0.5 percent FeSO4 (5g/lit of water) + Azotobacter seed inoculation (200 g/10kg of seed) can ensure the profitable production of baby corn. These practises could be passed on to farmers to help them earn more money in this agro-climatic zone. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that 0.5 percent FeSO4(5g/lit of water) + Azotobacter seed inoculation (200 g/10kg of seed) can ensure the profitable production of baby corn. These practises could be passed on to farmers to help them earn more money in this agro-climatic zone.

Crop Rotation and Minimal Tillage Selectively Affect Maize Growth Promotion under Late Wilt Disease Stress.

In recent years, worldwide scientific efforts towards controlling maize late wilt disease (LWD) have focused on eco-friendly approaches that minimize the environmental impact and health risks. This disease is considered to be the most severe threat to maize fields in Israel and Egypt, and a major growth restraint in India, Spain, and Portugal. Today’s most commonly used method for LWD control involving resistant maize genotypes is under constant risk from aggressive pathogen lines. Thus, this study’s objectives were to evaluate the effect of crop rotation and avoiding tillage on restraining the disease. Such an agrotechnical approach will support the continuity of soil mycorrhiza networks, which antagonize the disease’s causal agent, Magnaporthiopsis maydis. The method gained positive results in previous studies, but many knowledge gaps still need to be addressed. To this end, a dual-season study was conducted using the LWD hyper-susceptible maize hybrid, Megaton cv. The trials were performed in a greenhouse and in the field over full dual-growth seasons (wheat or clover as the winter crop followed by maize as the summer crop). In the greenhouse under LWD stress, the results clearly demonstrate the beneficial effect of maize crop rotation with clover and wheat on plant weight (1.4-fold), height (1.1–1.2-fold) and cob yield (1.8–2.4-fold), especially in the no-till soil. The clover-maize growth sequence excels in reducing disease impact (1.7-fold) and pathogen spread in the host tissues (3-fold). Even though the wheat-maize crop cycle was less effective, it still had better results than the commercial mycorrhizal preparation treatment and the uncultivated non-infected soil. The results were slightly different in the field. The clover-maize rotation also achieved the best growth promotion and disease restraint results (2.6-fold increase in healthy plants), but the maize rotation with wheat showed only minor efficiency. Interestingly, pre-cultivating the soil with clover had better results in no-till soil in both experiments. In contrast, the same procedure with wheat had a better impact when tillage was applied. It may be concluded that crop rotation and soil cultivation can be essential in reducing LWD, but other factors may affect this approach’s benefits in commercial field growth.

Potentiality of Biofertilizers and Seaweed Extract on Growth & Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.)

The study aimed to understand and study the effect of commercial seaweed extract and other biofertilizers on the yield attributes and economics of cultivated sweet corn. The biofertilizers were applied as seed inoculants and seaweed extract was applied as foliar spray. Totally nine combination treatments were evaluated for their performance on the growth and yield of sweet corn and revealed that green cob yield (10.58 t/ha and plant height 145.99 cm at harvest ) was found to be significantly higher in treatment combination Azospirillum @10 gm/kg + PSB @10 gm/kg +5.0% Seaweed extract and was on par with Azospirillum @20 gm/kg +5.0% Seaweed extract (9.61 t/ha, plant height 143.01 cm). Cobs/plant, grains rows/cob, grains /cob and grains/row were also found highest in the treatment Azospirillum @10 gm/kg + PSB @10 gm/kg +5.0% Seaweed extract. Similarly with respect to stover yield and higher harvest index (34.50%) was noticed in PSB @20 gm/kg +10% Seaweed extract which was followed by Azospirillum @10 gm/kg + PSB @10 gm/kg +5.0% Seaweed extract (34.40%). The benefit cost ratio was highest in the treatment Azospirillum @10 gm/kg + PSB @10 gm/kg +5.0% (2.77) and lowest B:C ratio (1.2) was obtained in the PSB @20 gm/kg + water spray. These findings indicate that seaweed extract can generally be used as a safe potential multifunctional biofertilizer in the agricultural field. The use of seaweed and biofertilizer could potentially help mitigate the adverse effects of main nutrient deficiencies, diminishing the use of chemical fertilizers.

Effect of Potassium and Spacing on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

During the summer of 2021, the current study was conducted at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (Zaid). The experiment used a Randomized Block Design with three repetitions. A total of nine treatments were created, each with a distinct level of spacing and amount of potassium applied. The agricultural field was uniformly composed of sa0ndy loam soil with a pH of neutral, low in organic carbon (0.72 percent), accessible nitrogen (278.48 kg/ha), and medium in available phosphorus and potassium (27.80 kg/ha and 233.24 kg/ha, respectively. Amongst all the treatments, T9 with 50 x 15 cm spacing and 50 kg/ha K2O exhibited the highest plant productivity and its features such as plant height, number of leaves per plant, dry plant mass, and cob's qualities among all treatments. Furthermore, the maximum crop growth rate, yield, and yield qualities such as cob yield and green fodder yield were discussed. It may be inferred that greater potassium treatment and wider spacing have a good influence on plant production and growth parameters.

Effect of Potassium and Spacing on Yield and Economics of Baby corn (Zea mays L.)

The Crop Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, SHUATS at Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) was the experimental area for the present study. The present study was about a field experiment performed during Zaid 2021. The texture of the experimental area’s soil was sandy loam. It is neutral in reaction and have lower content of organic carbon (0.72%). Moreover, rich in available N (278.48 kg/ha), available P (27.80 kg/ha) and available K (233.24 kg/ha). The experiment was designed using Randomized Block Design having nine treatments, replicated thrice for a time of one year experimentation. The treatments which are T1: 30 kg/ha K2O + 30cm x 15 cm, T2: 30 kg/ha K2O + 40cm x 15 cm, T3: 30 kg/ha K2O + 50cm x 15 cm, T4: 40 kg/ha K2O + 30cm x 15 cm, T5: 40 kg/ha K2O + 40cm x 15 cm, T6: 40 kg/ha K2O + 50cm x 15 cm, T7: 50 kg/ha K2O + 30cm x 15 cm, T8: 50 kg/ha K2O + 40cm x 15 cm, T9: 50 kg/ha K2O + 50cm x 15 cm used. The results revealed that the application of 50 kg/ha K2O + 50cm x 15 cm had maximum number of plants (2.74), larger plant height (16.28 cm), utmost cob weight with husk (43.14 g), and cob weight without husk (16.91 g). However, applying 50 kg/ha K2O + 30cm x 15 cm resulted in higher cob yield with husk (6.52 t/ha), cob yield without husk (3.85 t/ha) and green fodder yield (34.63 t/ha). Moreover, it also gives maximum gross profit (Rs. 1,54,000.00 /ha), net returns (Rs. 1,01,421.10 /ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.92).

Sustainable Intensification of a Rice-Maize System through Conservation Agriculture to Enhance System Productivity in Southern India.

Integrated management of rice–maize systems is an emerging challenge in southern India due to improper rice residues and tillage management in maize crops. Conservation agriculture (CA) practices such as a reduced tillage and maintaining stubble mulch may hold the potential to increase yields, reduce crop establishment costs and increase farm incomes. A five-year trial was performed to study the effect of different CA and establishment methods in rice on system productivity, profitability, and soil carbon status in a rice–maize system. In the rainy season, the trial consisted of two main treatments: (i) normal manual transplanting and (ii) direct-wet seeding, and three sub-main treatments at different sowing dates with fifteen day intervals. In addition, in the winter season, two tillage treatments (conventional and minimum tillage) were imposed over the rainy season treatments. Both rice and maize were grown under irrigated conditions. The results showed that sowing times at 15 day intervals did not impact the yield significantly. Transplanted rice obtained a significantly higher grain yield during the first four years, but in the last year, the yield was similar in both of the establishment methods. In the winter season, conventional tilled maize recorded a higher cob yield than under the minimum tilled treatment, except for the last year, where both the tillage treatment effects were the same. System productivity of CA-based minimum tilled rice–maize was inferior during the first three years but was superior to the conventionally tilled method in the fourth and fifth year. Pooled analysis revealed that the conventionally tilled rice–maize system resulted in a similar system productivity as that of the CA during the study period. The cost–benefit analysis revealed that transplanted rice and conventionally tilled maize fetched higher net returns of INR 111,074 and INR 101,658/ha, respectively, over the direct-wet seeded rice and CA. In addition, the 15 July rice sown followed by the maize system led to an increase in irrigation water productivity by 15.7%, and the total water (irrigation + rainfall) productivity by 27.1% in the maize crop compared with the 30 July sown system. The CA-based rice–maize system resulted in a significantly higher very labile (0.194%) and labile (0.196%) carbon concentration at a 0–5 cm depth of soil compared to those under the conventional system. Thus, CA can be recommended for southern India and similar agro-ecological tropic and sub-tropic conditions. This system can be followed with appropriate location-specific modification in South-Asian countries, where crop yields and soil health are declining as a result of continuous cereal–cereal crop rotation.

Influence of Spacing and Zinc Application on Growth and Productivity of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

The present trial was undertaken at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during the 2021 summer season (Zaid). The test was a Randomized Block Design having three replicates. A total of nine treatments were designed with different levels of spacing and quantity of zinc application. The cultivation land was uniform with sandy loam soil with pH neutral. The soil had low level of organic carbon (0.72%), medium level of available nitrogen (278.28 kg ha-1) and potassium (233.24 kg ha-1) and higher level of phosphorus (27.80 kg ha-1). Amongst all the treatments, T9 with 60 X 20 cm spacing and 25 kgha-1ZnSO4 had the maximum plant height (168.13 cm), number of leaves per plant (13.25), dry plant mass (90.96 g/plant), number of cobs per plant (2.37), length of the cob per plant (18.77 cm), cob weight with husk (47.92 g), cob weight without husk (22.70 g). Further, the maximum crop growth rate (30.45 g/m2/day), cob yield with husk (14.63 t/ha), cob yield without husk (5.09 t/ha) and green fodder yield (28.83 t/ha) was observed for T3 with 40 X 20 cm spacing and 20 kg ha-1ZnSO4.

Influence of Spacing and Varieties on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2021 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U. P). The soil of given experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), low in organic carbon (0.36 %), available N (171.48 kg/ha), available P (15.2 kg/ha) and available K (232.5 kg/ha).The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design with Ten treatments and three replications. The treatments are as follows, T1: G-5414 + 40 cm x 15 cm, T2­: G-5414 + 50 cm x 15 cm, T3: G-5414 + 60 cm x 15 cm, T4: G-5417 + 40 cm x 15 cm, T5: G-5417 + 50 cm x 15 cm, T6: G-5417 + 60 cm x 15 cm, T7: Shine-60 + 40 cm x 15 cm, T8: Shine-60 + 50 cm x 15 cm, T9: Shine-60 + 60 cm x 15 cm are used. The results showed that application of treatment Shine-60 + 60 x 15 cm was recorded highest plant height (172.38 cm), No. of leaves/Plant (12.75), Plant dry weight (90.00 g/plant) whereas, Crop Growth Rate (39.77 g/m2/day) and Relative Growth Rate (0.036 g/g/day) was recorded significantly highest in treatment G-5414 + 40 cm x 15 cm. However, No. of Cobs/Plant (2.82), length of the Cob/Plant (17.55 cm), Cob weight with husk (44.18 g), Cob weight without husk (17.94 g), Cob yield with husk (28.78 t/ha) and Cob yield without husk (6.87 t/ha) was obtained in the treatment of Shine-60 + 60 cm x 15 cm as compared to the other treatments.

Impact of Plant Geometry and Zinc on Growth and Yield Attributes of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.)

During Zaid 2021, a field experiment was undertaken at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). The experiment was set up using a Randomized Block Design, with nine treatments reproduced three times over the course of a year. The treatments which are T1: 40cm x 20 cm + 15 kg/ha ZnSO4, T2: 40cm x 20 cm + 20 kg/ha ZnSO4, T3: 40cm x 20 cm + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4, T4: 50cm x 20 cm + 15 kg/ha ZnSO4, T5: 50cm x 20 cm + 20 kg/ha ZnSO4, T6: 50cm x 20 cm + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4, T7: 60cm x 20 cm + 15 kg/ha ZnSO4, T8: 60cm x 20 cm + 20 kg/ha ZnSO4, T9: 60cm x 20 cm + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4 used. The results showed that application of 60cm x 20 cm + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4 recorded significantly highest plant height (166.02 cm), Number of leaves/plant (12.25), Dry weight/plant (141.58 g/plant), number of cobs/plant (1.76), length of the cob/plant (16.90 cm), Cob girth (15.46 cm) whereas maximum crop growth rate (48.65 g/m2/day) was recorded with treatment 40cm x 20 cm + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4 whereas, cob yield (6.45 t/ha) and Green fodder yield (20.55 t/ha) recorded maximum in 40cm x 20 cm + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4..The treatment with 40 x 20 cm spacing and application of 25 kg of zinc is advised for recommendation, as it is recorded maximum cob yield, green fodder yield, and benefit cost ratio in treatment T3.

Biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematodes for the sustainable management of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize.

The occurrence of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in Asia was reported for the first time from Karnataka in 2018. This pest is widely distributed in India, causing significant damage to maize. Management of this recent invasive pest in maize-growing regions of India relies on chemical control. Resistance is the greatest obstacle to the successful use of chemical insecticides to control this pest. Indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides destroys beneficial natural enemies, therefore effective and sustainable alternative control strategies are needed. In this case, the use of biological control agents is the alternative option to mitigate this pest. Thus, this study aimed to select virulent entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) isolates based on the laboratory assay and further to test the efficacy of virulent isolates in the field conditions along with commonly used chemical insecticide emamectin benzoate against S. frugiperda. Laboratory results revealed that both Heterorhabditis indica 1 NBAIIH38 and Steinernema carpocapsae NBAIRS59 caused 100% mortality in third- and fourth-instar larvae of S. frugiperda, while these two species caused 85% and 72% mortality in pupae, respectively. When pupae of S. frugiperda were exposed to EPNs, pupae died after metamorphosis to malformed adults. All the nematode species were able to penetrate and reproduce within S. frugiperda larvae, but the reproduction rate for Heterorhabditids was higher than that of Steinernematids. Field trial results showed that H. indica 1 NBAIIH38 significantly reduced the number of larvae and leaf damage scores compared to S. carpocapsae NBAIRS59. Emamectin benzoate was more effective in reducing the larval population compared to EPN species. The cob yield was significantly higher in EPN- and emamectin benzoate-treated plots than in untreated control plots. Overall, these experiments suggest H. indica 1 NBAIIH38 is a promising biocontrol agent against S. frugiperda in maize production. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Influence of Dates of Sowing and Planting Geometry on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Baby Corn

During the summer season of 2018, a field experiment was conducted at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. The treatments consisted of four date of sowing viz., 20th February (D1), 2nd March (D2), 12th March (D3) and 22nd March (D4) in main plot and four planting geometry practices viz., 40 cm x 20 cm (S1), 40 cm x 25 cm (S2), 45 cm x 20 cm (S3) and 45 cm x 25 cm (S4), in sub-plot with three replications. The results revealed that 2nd March sowing recorded higher plant height, number of cobs per plant, weight of cob, cob yield and fodder yield which was at par with 12th March sowing and significantly higher than other sowing dates. Similar effects of these treatments were also observed in respect to N, P, K uptake and economics. Among the different planting geometry, yield of cob without husk and fodder yield, gross return and net return were found to be higher under spacing 45 cm x 20 cm as compared to others. Total N, P and K uptake were also found to be higher under 45 cm x 20 cm spacing than rest of the planting geometry. Planting geometry had non-significant effect on available N,P2O5 and K2O status of soil after harvest of the crop.