Effect of Organic Manures on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Babycorn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Aim: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the suitable organic manure to sustain the soil fertility, yield of baby corn and also opt a best alternate crop for rice fallow pulses presumably in missing season.. Materials and Methods: Field experiments were conducted in the Experimental Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar during summer and kharif season of 2017 in Randomized block design to study the response of baby corn (Zea mays L.) to different organic manures for their growth, yield attributes and cob and green fodder yield.. Result: Among the different treatments, RDF (150:60:40 kg NPK ha-1) had a positive effect on the growth, yield attributes, cob and green fodder yield in baby corn for I and II crops which was at par with the application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1. The lowest values of growth, yield attributes and yield were recorded by Farm compost @ 5 t ha-1. Conclusion: Application of fertilizer may be good in the short term for getting maximum yield and net income to the farmers; but, in the long run, to increase the corn quality and sustain the soil fertility, T3 vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 treatment is the best and thus this practice can be recommended to the maize growing farmers in Tamil Nadu.