Green Cob Yield Research Articles

Influence of quality traits on green cob yield in hybrids of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata)

Influence of quality traits on green cob yield in hybrids of sweet corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L. <i>saccharata</i>)

Growth, yield and economics of rabi sweet corn (Zea mays L., var. saccharata Sturt) as influenced by different spacing and fertilizer levels under south Gujarat conditions

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2011 at College Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari to assess the response of rabi sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Sturt) to spacing and fertilizer levels under south Gujarat conditions. The experiment comprising 16 treatment combinations consisting of four levels of plant spacing (60×15, 45×20, 30×30 and 60×30 cm) and four fertility levels (60–30, 90–45, 120-60 and 150-75 kg N-P2O5/ha). Plant spacing of 60×30 cm, 45×20 cm and 60×15 cm attained significantly higher plant height compared to 30×30 cm. While stem diameter and number of leaves per plant were not influenced by different spacing levels. The sweet corn plants exhibited significantly maximum values of yield attributes viz., cob length, cob girth, under spacing of 45×20 cm. Number of cobs per plant and cob yield per plant were higher under spacing of 60×30 cm. Highest green cob yield was recorded at spacing of 45×20 cm closely followed by 30×30 cm. The highest net returns (Rs. 60568/ha) and BCR (5.52) were recorded under plant spacing of 45×20 cm. The growth of sweet corn in terms of plant height, number of leaves per plant and stem diameter were maximum with application of 150-75 kg N-P2O5/ha. The sweet corn plants exhibited maximum values of yield attributes viz., number of cobs per plant under 150-75 kg N-P2O5/ha and found at par with those recorded under 120-60 kg N-P2O5/ha. Whereas cob length and cob girth were under 120-60 kg N-P2O5/ha and found at par with those recorded under 150-75 kg N-P2O5/ha. Application of 150-75 and 120-60 kg N-P2O5/ha significantly increased green cob yield over 90–45 and 60–30 kg N-P2O5/ha. Economic evaluation of fertility levels revealed that the highest net returns of Rs. 59509/ha and BCR of 5.46 were recorded with application of 120-60 kg N-P2O5/ha. Thus, from the present study, it seems quite logical to conclude that higher production and net returns from rabi sweet corn (var. Madhuri) can be secured by sowing the crop at 45×20 cm spacing and fertilizing with 120-60 kg N-P2O5/ha on clayey soil under south Gujarat conditions.

Beneficial Nutrient Management Practice for Improving Maize (&lt;em&gt;Zea mays&lt;/em&gt;) Yield in a Tropical Entisol

Beneficial nutrient management practices could increase maize yield via improving soil fertility. A study was conducted in the mid country wet zone of Sri Lanka (WM2b) on Typic Troporthents aiming to formulate a site specific fertilizer (SF) recommendation and to identify beneficial organic soil amendments (OA) to improve the fertility and productivity of soils for maize cultivation. The SF recommendation was developed using modified missing element technique. Incubated mixture of cattle manure and sawdust at 2:1 wet weight basis (CS-i) and biochar (BC) derived from sawdust were selected as OAs. Four treatments, (i) un-amended control (S), (ii) soil amended with SF (SSF), (iii) cattle manure-sawdust CS-i (2.2 Mg ha-1) with SF (CSi+SF) and (iv) biochar (1.1 Mg ha - 1) with SF (BC+SF) were tested in the field for two consecutive growing seasons (Yala 2013 and Maha 2013/14) for maize. According to missing element technique, soil was deficient in K, Mg, P and Zn nutrients and resulted in 38%, 35%, 27% and 24% relative dry-matter reductions, respectively. Addition of OA+SF significantly improved soil organic carbon content compared to SSF. Green cob yield ranged from 7.9 to 16.5 Mg ha-1 in Yala and 5.4 to 12.4 Mg ha -1 in Maha increasing yield significantly in CS-i+SF, BC+SF and SSF over the un-amended control in both seasons. Soil fertility and maize yield were sustained or improved under combined application of site specific fertilizer and organic amendments. Moreover, cut down of K fertilizer is possible with application of BC and CS-i OAs. Hence, SF recommendation along with biochar or cattle manure-sawdust mixture OAs is a beneficial nutrient management practice for cultivating maize.

Genetic Variability and Correlation among Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Sweet Corn

A total of 50 hybrids was generated by Line x Tester mating design using ten lines and five testers of sweet corn. These hybrids along with parents and checks were evaluated at TNAU, Coimbatore during Kharif-2015. Genotypes were significantly different for all the traits under study. Green cob yield was found to have positive significant correlation with number of kernel rows per cob , plant height, green cob weight, total chlorophyll content, cob length, cob breadth, 100 seed weight, number of kernels per row indicating that indirect selection for yield through these traits will be effective. Green cob yield had no significant correlation with total sugar content of kernels indicating the scope of developing high yielding hybrids with high sugar content. Traits viz., tassel branching, green cob weight, number of kernels per row, green cob yield, 100 seed weight, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar, photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance and total chlorophyll content recorded high genetic advance as per cent of mean coupled with high heritability thus providing maximum opportunity for improvement and genetic gain through selection of these traits.

Spring maize (Zea maysL.) response to different crop establishment and moisture management practices in north-west plains of India

Maize cultivation for green cobs during the spring season is a remunerative proposition for the farmers in the north Indian plains. However, high evapo-transpiration demand of spring maize exerts considerable pressure on already depleting water resources. Thus, a two-year field experiment was conducted at GBPUA & T, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India to determine the effect of rice residue mulch, earthing-up, alternate furrow irrigation and crop establishment methods on productivity, profitability and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of spring maize. Results revealed that application of rice straw mulch (6 t/ha) enhanced plant height, number of green leaves, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and yield attributes. Reproductive stage set in advance in mulch treated plots compared to plots under other treatments. Green cob yield from mulched plot was the highest that was 37% higher over the flat planting alone. Broad bed planting and flat planting followed by earthing-up treatments produced the second and third highest cob yield, respectively. Planting on broad bed registered the highest IWUE (352.5 kg/ha-cm). Mulch treatment also earned higher net returns and B: C ratio than remaining treatments.

Effect of seaweed saps on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and economic improvement of maize (sweet corn)

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2012-13 at Research cum Instructional Farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) to study the effects of seaweed saps on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and economic of maize (sweet corn) in Matasi soil of Chhattisgarh. The foliar spray of two different species (namely Kappaphycus and Gracilaria) was applied thrice at different interval of crop with different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 15% v/v) of seaweed extracts. Foliar applications of seaweed extract significantly enhanced the growth, yield, nutrient uptake and B:C ratio parameters. The green cob yield (189.97 q ha-1) and fodder yield (345.19 q ha-1) were recorded highest under treatment (T8) 15% G Sap + recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) which was significant similar with treatment 15% K Sap + RDF (185.24 q ha-1) in case of green cob yield. The highest N, P and K uptake by green cob and fodder were observed under 15% G Sap + RDF (T8). Treatment 15% G Sap + RDF (T8), recorded maximum gross return (Rs. 2,07,230 ha-1), net return (Rs. 1,38,756 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.0), which was followed by treatment 15% K Sap + RDF (T4) with net return (Rs. 1,33,199 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.95). Treatment 15% G Sap + RDF (T8) gave Rs. 45,996 ha-1 more as compared to Water spray + RDF (T9).

Green cob and fodder yield of sweet corn as influenced by sowing time in the hilly region

A field experiment was conducted at the farm of Hill Tract Agricultural Research Station, Ramgarh, Khagrachari Hill District during Rabi season of 2010-11 and 2011-12 to determine the optimum sowing time for better yield of green cob as well as fodder of sweet corn (var. BARI Sweet corn-1) in the hilly region. Five sowing dates (November 20, November 30, December 10, December 20 and December 30) were included in the study. During 2010-11, the highest green cob yield was obtained from 20 November sowing (8.43 t/ha) followed by 30 November sowing (7.81 t/ha) and the lowest yield (5.00 ton/ha) from 20 December sowing. During 2011-12, the maximum green cob yield (8.60 t/ha) was also obtained from 20 November, which was statistically identical with that of 30 November (8.03 t/ha), 10 December (7.67 t/ha) and 20 December (8.11 ton/ha) sowing. Average of two years result showed that, the maximum fodder yield (39.99 t/ha) was obtained from 30 November sowing which was at par with that of 20 November sowing. Maximum TSS (Total soluble sugar) value of Sweet corn was obtained from 20 November sowing during 2010-11 and 30 November sowing during 2011-12. Across over two years, 20 November to 30 November sowing was found suitable for sweet corn production in the hilly areas in terms of green cob and fodder yield and also TSS value.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(1): 61-69, March 2015

Response ofrabisweet corn (Zea maysL. var.saccharataSturt) to plant geometry and fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2010 on clayey soil of Junagadh (Gujarat) to study the response of sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Sturt) to plant geometry (60cm x 15cm, 45cm x 20cm and 30cm x 30cm) and fertilizer (control, 90–45, 120-60 and 150-75 kg N-P2O5 ha−1). Plant geometry of 45 cm x 20 cm enhanced growth and yield attributes and thereby green cob and fodder yield along with higher net returns and benefit: cost (B:C) ratio of sweet cornover 60cm x 15cm spacing. Application of 120-60kg N-P2O5 ha−1 improved growth, yield attributes, green cob yield and fodder yield with higher net return and B:C ratio over the control and 90–45 kg N-P2O5 ha−1. Therefore, spacing of 45 cm x 20 cm with fertilizer dose of 120-60 kg N-P2O5ha−1 could be adopted for higher yield and economical realization from rabi sweet corn under south Saurashtra agro-climatic conditions of Gujarat.

Biological Efficiency of Legume Intercrops in Baby Corn (Zea MaysL.)

Field experiments were conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of crop geometry, intercropping and topping on the productivity and biological efficiency of baby corn. Crop geometry (60 x 20 cm and 75 x 16 cm) and intercropping (baby corn alone, baby corn + fenugreek (greens), baby corn + fodder cowpea) were assigned to main plots. Four topping practices (detasseling alone, topping beyond 9th, 10th and 11th internodes) was allotted to sub plots. The results revealed that baby corn raised at 75 x 16 cm produced higher green cob yield over 60 x 20 cm. Intercropping systems did not have positive influence on yield of baby corn. The highest green cob yield was obtained with topping beyond 10th internode. Higher baby corn equivalent yield (BEY) was obtained with baby corn + fenugreek grown under 75 cm row spacing combined with topping beyond 10th internode. Biological use efficiency as measured by the indices like LER, AHER, LEC, MER and RNRI were higher with baby corn + fenugreek grown under 75 cm row spacing combined with topping beyond 10th internode. However, baby corn intercropped with fodder cowpea at 75 cm row spacing combined with topping beyond 10th internode registered the higher ATER than the other treatment combinations.

English

A field experiment was conducted during&nbsp;kharif&nbsp;2010 and 2011 at Instructional farm of Rajasthan College of Agriculture Udaipur, Rajasthan, India to study the effect of crop spacing (45 &times; 20, 60 &times; 15 and 90 &times; 10 cm), nitrogen levels (60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) and plant growth regulators (control, N-acetyl Aspartate (NAA) at 40 ppm and mepiquat chloride at 200 ppm) on yield attributes, yield and economics of baby corn. The crop spacing 60 &times; 15 cm significantly influenced yield attributes. Maximum green cob yield, baby corn yield and green fodder yield was recorded at 60 &times; 15 cm spacing which was higher (14.0, 24.3 and 8.8%, respectively) over 90 &times; 10 cm. Increasing nitrogen levels up to 90 kg ha-1&nbsp;markably improved the yield attributes, yields and net returns. Application of 90 and 120 kg N ha-1&nbsp;exhibited significant increase in green cob yield over 60 kg N ha-1.&nbsp;The results revealed that application of nitrogen up to 90 kg ha-1&nbsp;level significantly increased green cob yield and baby corn yield in tune of 20.5 and 23.6% as compared to 60 kg N ha-1. The mepiquat chloride at 200 ppm exhibited highest yield parameters&nbsp;viz. cob length, cob girth, cob weight, corn length, corn girth, corn weight and cobs plant-1&nbsp;. The crop sprayed with mepiquat chloride produced highest green cob yield (5903 kg ha-1), baby corn yield (2083 kg ha-1) and this was comparable with application of NAA. In case of green fodder yield, NAA at 40 ppm produced significantly highest green fodder yield (26.9 t ha-1)&nbsp;over mepiquat chloride at 200 ppm (22.1 t ha-1). &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Spacing, nitrogen levels, plant growth regulator, baby corn.

Heterosis of Single Cross Sweet Corn Hybrids Developed with Inbreds of Domestic Genepool

The sweet corn hybrids synthesized with inbreds of domestic gene pool were studied for heterosis, combining ability effects and nature of gene action involved in the expression of green cob yield and quality traits in a Line x Tester design involving eighteen lines and four testers. Totally twelve quantitative and six qualitative traits were considered in the study. Combining ability indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the characters and the contribution of lines was greater than the testers for all the traits studied. Since non-additive gene action was predominant, heterosis breeding was suggested for the improvement of green cob yield as well as quality traits. Among the lines, B.No. 1421-5-1, SC 8324 -3, SC 7855-3-1 USC 10-3-2-3 and USC 10-2-2 and among testers USC 3-1-2-1 and USC 4 were identified as superior ones, as they possessed higher per se and significantly positive gca effects for green cob yield coupled with desirable percentage of total sugar and starch. Therefore, these parents may be utilized for development of heterotic sweet corn hybrids with enhanced green cob yield and total sugar

Combining Ability Studies for Yield and Yield Contributing Characters in Selected Sweet Corn Hybrids and their Parental Lines

The investigation was undertaken in sweet corn to carry out the combining ability analysis of yield and yield contributing characters. Eight divergent parents were selected and crossed in diallel fashion excluding reciprocals during kharif, 2010. The resulting 28 crosses along with parents and a standard check Sugar 75 and Madhuri were evaluated. The data were collected on plant height, ear height, ear length, ear girth, number of kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, green cob yield, 100 kernel (dry) weight and seed yield (wet) per plant. The combining ability analysis revealed importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions in governing the characters but non-additive gene action was found predominant. The parental lines 6100, 6100-2 and 6104 contributed maximum favourable genes for characters under study. Considering all the characters, the parental lines 6100, 6100-2 and 6122-1 can be considered as good general combiners. The hybrid combinations, 6104 x 6100, 6127 x 6100 and 6122-1 x 6100-2 performed well for seed yield (wet) per plant and yield contributing characters which may be used as single cross hybrids.

Weed Smothering Efficiency and Productivity as Influenced by Crop Geometry and Intercropping in Baby Corn (Zea MaysL.)

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of crop geometry and intercropping on the weed smothering efficiency and productivity of baby corm. Two levels of crop geometry (60 x 20 cm and 75 x 16 cm) and two intercrops (baby corn alone, baby corn + fenugreek (greens), baby corn + fodder cowpea) were studied. Results revealed that crop geometry levels did not alter the weed population but altered the weed TDMP and weed smothering efficiency (WSE). Baby corn raised at 75 x 16 cm crop geometry registered lower TDMP of weeds. The weed smothering efficiency (WSE) was higher under baby corn intercropped with fenugreek and fodder cowpea at 75 cm row spacing. Baby corn raised at 75 x 16 cm produced higher green cob yield over 60 x 20 cm spacing. Intercropping in baby corn did not have positive influence on yield of baby corn. However, the baby corn equivalent yield (BEY) was higher with baby corn + fenugreek grown under 75 cm row spacing.

English

An investigation on the “Response of sweet corn hybrid to varying plant densities and nitrogen levels” was conducted during kharif season, 2009 at Agricultural Research Institute, Hyderabad. The experiment was conducted on a clay loam soil of medium fertility with twelve treatment combinations including three levels of plant densities 66,666 (P1), 80,000 (P2), 100,000 (P3) plants ha-1 and four nitrogen levels 120 (N1), 160 (N2), 200 (N3), 240 (N4) kg ha-1 in a randomized block design (RCBD) with factorial concept in three replications. Plant density of 80,000 ha-1 gave a maximum green cob yield of 14,159 kg ha-1 while 100,000 ha-1 produced highest green fodder yield of 18,532 kg ha-1. Nitrogen uptake at harvest was maximum with 80,000 plants ha-1. Growth characters like plant height, leaf area index (LAI) and dry matter accumulation increased due to increased level of nitrogen application from 120 to 240 kg ha-1. All the yield attributes such as cob length, cob girth, fresh cob weight, number of kernels per cob and 100 kernel weight were maximized at 240 kg N ha-1 level. The treatment combination of P2N4 (80,000 plants ha-1 with application of 240 kg N ha-1) gave maximum cob yield (18,090 kg ha-1), net returns and B:C ratio (4.25) followed by P2N3. The results suggest for adoption of sweet corn hybrid with plant density of 80, 000 ha-1 along with the application of 240 kg N ha-1 in clay loam soils with low available status of nitrogen during ‘kharif’ season for obtaining higher yield, net returns and B:C ratio. Key words: Sweet corn, nitrogen, plant density.

Effect of Graded Nutrient Levels and Timing Nitrogen Application on Yield and Quality of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2005 and 2006 at S.V.Agricultural college farm, Tirupati to study the effect of four graded levels of NPK and split application of N at different times on yield and quality of sweet corn. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Four graded NPK levels viz.,- NPK @ 90:50:40; 120:60:45; 150:70:50 and 180:80:55 kg ha-1 were assigned to main plots and split application of N at different times viz.,- 1/2 basal + 1/2 at knee high stage, 1/2 basal + 1/4th knee high + 1/4 th tasseling; 1/ 3 rd basal + 1/3 rd knee high + 1/3 rd tasseling and 1/4th basal +1/2 at knee high + 1/4th tasseling were alloted to sub plots. The results revealed that increasing the nutrients level of NPK from 90:50:40 to 150-70-50 kg ha-1 significantly increased the yield attributes, green cob yield with husk, green fodder yield and benefit : cost ratio during both the years. It also brought significant improvement in the quality of kernels (higher content of protein, reducing and non-reducing sugars) and of green fodder (higher crude protein and lower crude fibre contents).The yield attributes, yield and quality of sweet corn obtained with NPK @ 150-70-50 kg ha-1 were on par with the highest level of NPK @ 180-80-55 kg ha-1. Application of nitrogen in three splits-1/4th basal + 1/2 at knee high + 1/4th tasseling had substantially increased the green cob weight, kernel number cob-1, green cob and fodder yield of sweet corn as compared to the application of nitrogen in two splits-1/2 basal + 1/2 at knee high stage. Time of nitrogen application did not exert any significant effect on the quality of sweet corn.

EFFECT OF FOLIAR NUTRITION ON GROWTH, GREEN AND FODDER YIELD OF SWEET CORN

Two field experiments were performed at the Jenaan Farm, El-Oweinat East, New Valley Governorate, during the two summer seasons of 2008 and 2009. The main objectives of this study were to determine the effect of three chemical substances (Di-ammonium phosphate, Di-potassium phosphate and Borax ) as a sources of NPK and B nutrients on growth and yield of sweet corn variety Songer. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, under sprinkler irrigation system. The obvious result of this investigation can be summarized as follows: 1- Spraying with Di-ammonium phosphate (as a source of N and P) favorably influenced the growth parameters, yield attributes and green cob and fodder yields of sweet corn as compared with other treatments. 2- Application of Di-ammonium phosphate at the rate of 7.5% concentration at 20 and 40 days after sowing significantly increased growth parameters with thicker cobs and corns, and increased the individual cob weight, which in turn increased the green cob yield of sweet corn. Generally, increasing in growth parameters resulted in increasing green fodder yield. 3- Application of NPK and B with different concentrations (0.25 and 0.50%) failed to influence the growth and yield of sweet corn.

Plant Growth Regulators and Split Application of Nitrogen Improves the Quality Parameters and Green Cob Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

Plant Growth Regulators and Split Application of Nitrogen Improves the Quality Parameters and Green Cob Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

Foliar nutrition of baby corn (Zea mays L.)

Field experiments were conducted during late Rabi (January to March) and Kharif (June to September) seasons of 2002, to study the influence of foliar spraying of nutrients on growth and yield of baby corn (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three nutrients (phosphorous [P], potassium [K] and boron [B]) each at three concentrations along with control (water spray) and absolute control (no spray). Di-ammonium phosphate, Muriate of Potash and Borax are the sources of P, K and B nutrients respectively. Results showed that spraying of P favorably influenced the growth parameters, yield attributes and green cob and fodder yields of baby corn. Application of P at 0.75% concentration at 25 and 45 days after sowing (DAS) gave significantly higher growth parameters with thicker cobs and corns, increasing the individual cob weight, which in turn increased the green cob yield of baby corn. Increased growth parameters resulted in increased green fodder yield. Application of B and K with different concentrations and P (0.25 and 0.50%) failed to influence the growth and yield of baby corn.

Study of crop geometry, intercropping systems and nutrient management practices on weed density and yield in baby corn based intercropping systems

Field experiments were conducted in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during Kharif 2002 and summer 2003. The experimental soil was sandy clay loam with alkaline pH. The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main pot consisted of two factors viz., crop geometry [45 x 25 cm (S_{1}) and 60 * 19 cm (S_{2}) | and intercropping systems [baby corn alone (C_{1}) baby corn + radish (C_{2}) and baby corn + coriander (C_{p}) ] Four integrated nutrient management practices ( N, - 100% of the recommended dose of NPK (150:60:40 kg ha) of baby corn; N_{2} - 50% NPK of baby corn + FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria; N_{2} - 50% NPK of baby corn + Poultry manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria; N_{4} - 50% NPK of baby corn + Goat manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacterial were assigned to sub plots. The experimental results revealed that weed population and weed DMP were higher with S_{2} than S i* Sole crop situation resulted higher weed population and weed DMP than intercropped baby corn. Baby corn with inorganic fertilizer recorded the lowest weed population and weed DMP than INM treated baby corn. The results were reverse for Weed Smothering Efficiency. Green cob yield of baby corn was higher (7976 and 7519 kg h * x ^ - 1 ) with S * than S_{r} Intercropping systems failed to influence the green cob yield. Combined use of a half NPK with poultry or goat manures along with bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria) has produced significantly higher baby corn yield as compared to N, and N_{t} during both the seasons.

Effect of plantinggeometry and nitrogen on yield, economics and nitrogen uptake of sweet corn (Zea mays)

A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 2002 and 2003 at Central Research Station, OUAT, Bhubaneshwar to study the effect of planting geometry and nitrogen on sweet corn (Zea mays L.) cv 'Madhuri'. Twenty treatment combinations, comprising four spacings (45 cm x 30 cm, 45 cm x 20 cm, 60 cm x 30 cm and 60 cm x 20 cm) allotted to the main plots and five nitrogen levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kglha) to the sub- plots, were tested in split-plot design with three replications. The spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm significantly in- creased the number of prime cobs (54,108/ha), green-cob yield (9.21 t o ~ e d h a ) , nitrogen uptake (53.62 kglha), protein yield (174.35 kglha) and accrued highest net return (Rs 48,5711ha) and benefit : cost ratio (3.55), fol- lowed by 45 cm x 30 crn spacing. Application of 80 kg Nlha produced significantly highest number of prime cobs (62,328/ha), green-cob yield (9.80 tonneslha), length (17.5 cm) and girth (16.7 cm) of cobs, green-forage yield (17.35 tlha), total N uptake (91.2 kglha) and protein yield (280.8 kglha). Significantly highest net returns (Rs 61,5321ha) and benefit : cost ratio (3.76) were realized with 80 kg Nlha, followed by 60 and 40 kg Nlha.