Growth, yield and economics of baby corn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) practices

Baby corn cultivation can contribute in diversifying cropping pattern. Performance of baby corn variety (VL-78) recommended for north hill zone was evaluated under different fertility levels. The experiment was laid in randomized block design with three replications. Application of farm yard manure (FYM) at 6 T/ha in combination with 150% recommended dose of fertilizer (225N:90P2O5:60 K2O kg/ha) reveled maximum cob yield (without husk) of 20.60 q/ha associated with maximum number of cobs/plot (326). However application of FYM at 6 T/ha in combination with state recommended dose of Nitrogen: Phosphorus: Pottasium (N:P:K) at 90:60:40 kg/ha was statistically at par with the best treatment and gave a cob yield of 19.85 q/ha. Best treatment combination was also associated with maximum Total Soluble Sugars (T.S.S) content (11.20 Brix) in controlled pollinated cobs. Additional application of nutrients did not reveal any significant improvement in morphological characters. Application of 150% of Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) without FYM reveled increased cob length (10.90 cm), whereas, 125% of RDF resulted in maximum cob girth without husk (18.30 mm). Similar trend of enhanced green fodder yield (26.39 T/ha) was observed with application of 6 T/ha FYM + 150% of RDF). Cultivation of baby corn variety VL-78 under temperate conditions with an application of N:P:K at 90N:60P:40K, kg/ha in combination with 6 T/ha FYM revealed a maximum B:C ratio of 1:1.59.With 703 $/ha as cost of cultivation, the estimated gross returns from the cultivation practice were to the tune of 1825 $ giving a benefit of 1123 $/ha.   Key words: Yield, nutrition, baby corn.