Root growth, productivity and profitability of baby corn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by nutrition levels under irrigated ecosystem

A field experiment was conducted at Varanasi during the two consecutive prekharif seasons of 2012 and 2013 to work out the optimum levels of NPKS and Zn application for maximizing the productivity and profitability of baby corn under irrigated ecosystem. Results revealed that root parameters, yield and economics of baby corn were influenced significantly by varying the fertility levels. Significantly highest baby cob (9.55 t/ha), baby corn (2.15 t/ha), green fodder yield (31.51 t/ha), gross returns (202.61 × 10³ Rs./ha) and net returns (143.40 ×10³ Rs./ha) were recorded with the application of 125% RDF. Further, application of 50 kg S/ha resulted in significantly higher baby cob (9.38 t/ha), baby corn (2.15 t/ha), green fodder yield (30.97 t/ha), net profit (142.07 × 10³ Rs./ha) over control but it remained at par with application of 25 kg S/ha. Similarly, application of 10 kg Zn/ha gave the maximum baby cob (9.24 t/ha), baby corn (2.10 t/ha) and green fodder yield (30.49 t/ha) with a net profit (138.81×10³ Rs./ha) over control but it remained at par with application of 25 kg S/ha. Hence, the application of 125% RDF and 50 kg S/ha along with 10 kg Zn/ha was found optimum to obtain the maximum productivity and profitability of baby corn under irrigated conditions of Varanasi.