Effect of nitrogen management and seed priming with GA3 in summer maize (Zea mays L.) grown as baby corn

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during summer season of 2012 for generating information on growth and to workout cob and corn characteristic practices with its yield and economics in summer maize grown as bay corn (Zea mays L.). in split plot design and replicated three times. Plant height at knee high stage only increased markedly due to higher rate of basal nitrogen application resulting significantly taller plant under SPAD based nitrogen management with 75 kg N/ha basal followed by N top dressing at SPAD value at <45 (each time @ 20kg N/ha) and also dry matter production at tasselling stage were found to improved significantly under SPAD compared to blanket split of 150 kg N/ha with 3 splits. The cob number were found to be non significant whereas blanket application with higher rate of basal N application registered significant increase in young cob yield. Higher level of N application under both the N management strategies registered significantly higher number of baby corn and yield of baby corn over lower level N of application. However, total fodder yield maximum with SPAD based N management due to growth attributes like plant height improved significantly. It should be noted that though net return (Rs.154970) was maximum with the treatment higher dose of blanket application, but B: C ratio was estimate to be highest with SPAD based N application. Seed priming with GA3 did not show significant effect on growth and yield of baby corn. Economics of baby corn production with seed priming also remained unfavorable