Productivity, profitability and nutrient-use efficiency of baby corn (Zea mays) as influenced of varying fertility levels

A field experiment was conducted at Varanasi during the 2 consecutive pre-kharif (rainy) season of 2012 and 2013, to work out the optimum levels of NPKS and Zn application for maximizing the yield, monetary returns and nutrient-use efficiency of baby corn (Zea mays L.). Baby cob, baby corn and green fodder yields, economics and nutrient uptake (N, P, K, S and Zn) were significantly higher with application of 125% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF). Further, application of 50 kg S/ha resulted in significant increase of baby cob, baby corn, green fodder yields, net profit and nutrient uptake (N, P, K, S and Zn) over the control, but it remained at par with 25 kg S/ha. Similar trend were observed with application of zinc levels also. Increasing levels of sulphur and zinc application progressively reduced the agronomic and physiological efficiency and apparent recovery of baby corn. In general, these indices were noted markedly higher with application of 25 kg S/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha than 50 kg S/ha and 10 kg Zn/ha, respectively. However, nutrient-harvest index of N, P, K were decreased gradually with application of increasing levels of NPKS and Zn but reverse in case of S and Zn application. Hence application of 125% RDF along with 50 kg S/ha and 10 kg Zn/ha was found optimum to obtain the maximum baby corn yield, net profit and nutrient-use efficiency under irrigated conditions of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.