EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PLANT SPACING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND ECONOMICS OF BABY CORN (ZEA-MAYS)

A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 1993 and 1994 to study the effect of nitrogen and plant spacing on baby corn (Zea m ays L.). Application of 150 to 200 kg N/ha had significant favourable effect on plant height, functional leaves, dry-matter accumulation, co bs/plant and cob weight. The minimum barrenness of 4.9% was recorded w ith 200 kg N/ha, whereas it was maximum (32.7%) in pots receiving no N . Baby corn yield increased significantly with increase in N level up to 150 kg/ha, but the cob weight with husk and green-fodder yield show ed significant increase up to 200 kg N/ha. The maximum net returns of Rs 59,938/ha were obtained with 200 kg N/ha which were 5.2, 23.8, 57.6 and 117.7% higher than that of 150, 100, 50 and 0 kg N/ha, however th e maximum net returns/rupee invested (Rs 2.84) were realized with 150 kg N/ha. Wider spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm increased significantly almost all the growth and yield attributes but could not compensate the baby corn yield obtained in narrow plant spacing. Plant spacing of 40 cm x 20 cm gave maximum baby corn yield (17.4 q/ha), net returns (Rs 50,84 3/ha) and net returns/rupee invested (Rs 3.00).