Variety and N-Fertilizer Rate Influence the Growth, Yield and Yield Parameters of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Four baby corn varieties viz. Hybrid baby corn-271, Shuvra, Khoibhutta and BARI sweet corn-1 were planted at five N fertilizer rates viz. 0, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N ha-1 in the experiment to find out the suitable variety and N fertilizer rate for baby corn production. The experiment was carried out at the Regional Station under Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute at Jamalpur, Bangladesh during rabi season of 2008-09. Hybrid baby corn-271 and Shuvra took about 85 days and Khoibhutta and BARI sweet corn-1 took about 71 days to first silking. The results revealed that the highest values was recorded in variety Shuvra with 200 kg N ha-1 in most of the growth parameters which was statistically similar to 160 kg N ha-1. Number of ear plant-1 , length of ear, baby corn yield without husk and with husk varied significantly due to interaction of variety and N-rates. Baby corn yield without husk increased significantly with 160 kg N ha-1 and beyond this rate yield increment was not significant in Hybrid baby corn-271 and Shuvra while N-rate increased baby corn yield without husk significantly not beyond 120 kg ha-1 in Khoibhutta and BARI sweet corn-1. Number of cob plant-1 and length of cob were found the main yield parameters attributed to increased baby corn yield without husk.