Influence of the best management practices on performance of dual-purpose baby corn (Zea mays) under eastern Himalayas

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2013–15 at the ICAR–Research Complex for North-Eastern Hill Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, Medziphema, Nagaland, to evaluate the effect of mulching, liming and integrated nutrition for maximizing the productivity of recently introduced crop baby corn (Zea mays L.) in the region. The results revealed that, use of straw mulches significantly increased the yield attributes of baby corn. Significantly higher yields of green baby cob (10.8 t/ha), baby corn (1.84 t/ha) and green fodders (34.65 t/ha) were recorded with application of 1.0 t lime/ha but was on a par with 0.5 t lime/ha. Similarly, higher yields of green baby cob (10.56 t/ha), baby corn (2.02 t/ha) and green fodder (34.95 t/ha) were noted with application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer through inorganic sources (RDF (IN) + 25% RDF through organic sources (ON). Hence, use of straw mulch integrated with application of lime in furrow @ 1.0 t/ha along with 100% RDF (IN: N-P-K-S-Zn: represents 150-80-60-30-10 kg/ha) + 25% RDF (ON) may be adopted and promoted to achieve the maximum crop productivity of baby corn under the foot-hill condition of eastern Himalayas.