1M.Sc Scholar, Forage Research and Management Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132 001
2Ex-Principal Scientist and Incharge, Forage Research and Management Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132 001
3Scientist, Division of Soil and Crop Management, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132 001
4Senior Scientist, CIMMYT, India, New Delhi-110 012
National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132 001
*Corresponding author Email: darajaz9@gmail.com
Based on a part of M.Sc. thesis of the first author submitted to National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (unpublished)
A field experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2012 at Karnal, Haryana to evaluate the effect of 6 planting geometry viz. 40 cm × 15 cm, 40 cm × 20 cm, 50 cm × 15 cm, 50 cm × 20 cm, 60 cm × 15 cm and 60 cm × 20 cm and 4 levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha) on dual purpose baby corn (Zea mays L.). The plant height, leaf area index (LAI), baby corn yield (1.88 t/ha), total green fodder yield (30.8 t/ha) as well as dry fodder yield (6.52 t/ha) were higher in 50 cm × 15 cm planting geometry than all other planting geometry, however, plant girth and fresh weight per plant were significantly higher in 60 cm × 20 cm planting geometry. Net returns ( 162.4 × 103/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.31) were higher in 50 cm × 15 cm geometry than all other planting geometry. Most of the growth and yield attributes of baby corn were significantly improved by nitrogen application up to 120 kg N/ha. However, green (32.3 t/ha) as well as dry fodder yield (6.66 t/ha) increased significantly with increase in the level of nitrogen application up to 180 kg/ha. Highest net returns ( 155.9 × 103/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.21) were recorded with the application of 180 kg N/ha.
Baby corn, Nitrogen, Planting geometry
