Productivity and profitability of baby corn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by foliar applied panchgavya and leaf extracts of endemic plants in Indo-Gangatic plains of central Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was carried out in rainy (kharif) season of 2011 at Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) to examine the effect of foliar application of panchgavya plus leaf extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica A, Juss.) and parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in 1:1 ratio on baby corn (Zea mays L). The results showed that the foliar application of panchgavya + neem leaf extracts (NLE) increased growth parameters, yield attributes and baby corn yield as well as green fodder yield of baby corn significantly compared to water sprayed control and sole application of panchgavya. Application of panchgavya + NLE recorded higher dehusked baby corn yield (14.17 and 10.39%) and green fodder yield (11.11 and 8.19%) compared to water sprayed control and panchgavya + PLE, respectively. This trend for production efficiency is obvious, as it is in accordance with the baby corn yield it was the highest (81.25 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) with panchgavya blended with NLE, being significantly higher than the rest of the treatments. Panchgavya + NLE also recorded higher net returns i.e. ₹ 51.51 ' 10³ ha⁻¹ and returns per rupee investment i.e. 3.79 at normal price over other foliar treatments. Application of the foliar sources at thrice (30-day stage + knee high stage-KHS + pre-tesseling stage-PTS) recorded significantly higher yields and net returns over single or in combination of two.