Growth, yield, nutrient uptake and net return of sweet corn (Zea mays Saccharata Strut.) with different fertilizer levels, plant densities and sulphur nutrition

Field experiments were conducted during summer season of 2007 and 2008 at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to study the effect of sulphur levels, fertility levels and plant population on the growth attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of sweet corn (Zea mays Saccharata Strut.). Application of 160: 80: 60 kg N: P2O5: K2O ha⁻¹ (F3) along with application of 40 kg S ha⁻¹ (S2) with population of 50 x10³ plants ha⁻¹ (P1) gave highest leaf area, dry matter accumulation, chlorophyll content, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate at knee high stage over rest of the treatments during both the years. Fertility level F3 and sulphur level S2 accounted highest kernel and stover yield under plant population P3 (100 x10³ plants ha⁻¹). The same treatments also resulted in higher nutrient uptake (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and sulphur) by sweet corn kernel as well as by stover. Highest fertility level and plant population recorded higher gross and net monetary returns. Application of 40 kg S ha⁻¹ recorded higher returns over no sulphur application.