Regional Research and Technology, Transfer Sub-station, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Jashipur, Orissa, 757 091
*Corresponding author: (Email: akaskanya@yahoo.co.in)
1Present address: College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, 751 003
A field experiment was conducted at Jashipur, Orissa during rabi (dry) season of 2002–03 and 2003–04 to study the effect of plant population (111.1, 83.3, 66.7 and 55.6 x 103/ha) and fertility levels (0–0–0, 40–8.7–16.7, 80–17.5–33.3 and 120–26.2–50 kg NPK/ha) on yield and economics of sweet corn (Zea mays L.). Application of 120–26.2–50 kg NPK to 83.3 x 103 plants/ha produced 16.48 t/ha green cobs, which was 7.6% more than of 66.7 x 103 plants/ha with same level of fertility. It gave the maximum net profit of Rs 54,453/ha, followed by Rs 49,439/ha with 66.7 x 103 plants/ha fertilized with 120–26.2–50 kg NPK/ha. The benefit: cost ratio was the maximum with 83.3 x 103 plants fertilized with 120–26.2–50 kg NPK/ha. The increase in fertility level linearly increased the green-fodder yield. Maximum fodder yield (37.49 – 41.56 t/ha) was attained with application of 120–26.2–50 kg NPK/ha. Hence, a plant population of 83.3 x 103/ha with fertility level 120–26.2–50 kg NPK/ha should be adopted to obtain the maximum green-cob yield and net profit from sweet corn in Orissa.
Economics, Fertility level, Plant population, Sweet corn, Yield
