A.K. Sinha*, D.K. Gupta and A.K. Lakra
RMD Collage of Agriculture and Research Station, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya
Ambikapur, Surguja- 497001 (Chhattisgargh)
Email: amitsinhaagri@yahoo.co.in
Received-07.02.2018, Revised-21.02.2018
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in two consecutive rainy (kharif) seasons of 2012 and 2013 at Ambikapur to work out the effect of sowing schedule and integrated nutrient management systems on the productivity and profitability of baby corn (Zea mays L.) and horse gram (Macrotylomauniflorum L.) cropping system. The horse gram was sown as utera crop just before harvesting of baby corn. Baby cob, baby corn, green fodder, horse gram yield and economics were higher in sowing of first schedule (1st week of July) showed parity with second (2nd week of July) and third (3rd week of July) sowing schedule but significantly superior to fourth sowing schedule i.e. 4th week of July. Further, application of 125% RDF + 5 t FYM significantly increased the baby cob, baby corn, green fodder, horse gram yield over 100% RDF and125% RDF but at par with 100% RDF + 5 t FYM. Combined effect of sowing of first schedule of baby corn and horse gram and application of 125% RDF + 5 t FYM resulted in significantly higher baby corn-equivalent yield in terms of system productivity (2.8 t/ha) which was comparable to sowing of second schedule with 125% RDF + 5 t FYM (2.7 t/ha), sowing of third schedule with 125% RDF + 5 t FYM (2.3 t/ha), sowing of first schedule with 100% RDF + 5 t FYM (2.7 t/ha), sowing of second schedule with 100% RDF + 5 t FYM (2.5 t/ha) and sowing of first schedule with 125% RDF (2.5 t/ha). Hence, Sowing of baby corn on first schedule (1st July) with 125% RDF + 5 t FYM produced maximum system productivity in terms of baby corn-equivalent yield, net profit and benefit-cost ratio. Since, harvesting large amount of baby corn at a time will deteriorate the quality, marketing problem as well as heavy monetary loss. Based on the present study, sowing of baby corn in different schedules, i.e. first (1st week of July), second (2nd week of July) and third (3rd week of July) followed by horse gram as utera crop in combination with 125% RDF + 5 t FYM produced comparable higher net profit, hence, recommended for commercial cultivation at farmers’ fields of Northern hills of Chhattisgarh, provided all other scientific management practices are followed.
Keywords:Baby corn, Horse gram, Green fodder, Net return, System productivity
REFERENCES
Aruna, E. and Mohammad, S. (2005). Influence of conjunctive use of organic and inorganic source of nutrients in rice (Oryza sativa) on crop growth, yield components, yield and fertility in rice (Oryza sativa)- sunflower (Helianthus annus) sequence. Indian Journal of Agronomy 50(4): 265-68.
Barod, N. K., Dhar, S. and Kumar, Ashok (2012). Effect of nutrient sources and weed control methods on yield and economics of baby corn (Zea mays).Indian Journal of Agronomy57(1): 96-99.
Choudhary, B. R., Gupta, A. K., Parihar, C. M., Jat, S. L., and Singh, D. K. (2011). Effect of integrated nutrient management on fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum) and its residual effect of fodder pearl millet (Pennisetumglaucum). Indian Journal of Agronomy 56(3): 189-95.
Das, S., Yadav, V. K., Kwatra, A., Jat, M. L., Rakshit, S., Kaul, J., Prakash, O., Singh, I., Singh, K.P. and Shekhar, J. C. (2008). Baby corn in India. DMR Technical Bulletin 6. Directorate of Maize Research, ICAR, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, pp. 1- 45.
Dar, E. A., Harika, A. S., Datta, A. and Jat, H. S. (2014). Growth, yield and economic returns from the dual purpose baby corn (Zea maysL.) under different planting geometry and nitrogen levels. Indian Journal of Agronomy59(3): 468-470.
Gomez, K. A. and Gomez, A. A. (1984). Statistical procedures for Agricultural Research. 2nd edition Chichesler, UK: John Wiley & sons.
Islam, M. and Munda, G. C. (2012). Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth, productivity, nutrient uptake and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) and toria (Brassica compestris L.). Agricultural Science Research Journals 2(8): 470-79.
Mondal, S. S., Saha, M. and Acharya, D. (2006). Improved agro techniques of baby corn production. Research Bulletin, Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra KrishiVishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India pp. 4-5.
Saha, M. and Mondal, S. S. (2006). Influence of integrated plant nutrient supply on growth, productivity and quality of baby corn (Zea maysL.) in Indo-Gangetic plains. Indian Journal of Agronomy51(3): 202-205.
Singh, M. K., Singh, R. N., Singh, S. P., Yadav, M. K. and Singh, V. K. (2010). Integrated nutrient management for higher yield, quality and profitability of baby corn (Zea maysL.). Indian Journal of Agronomy55(2): 100-04.
Thakur, D.R. (2000). Babycorn production technology. Directorate of Maize Research, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, pp. 2-3.
Tripathi, S. C. and Singh, R. P. (2008). Effect of crop diversification on productivity and profitability of rice (Oryza sativa)-wheat (Triticumaestivum) cropping system. Indian Journal of Agronomy53(1): 27-31.