Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth Parameters of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of integrated nutrient management on
growth parameters of baby corn (Zea mays L.)” was carried out during Kharif season 2015 at
the Instructional Dairy Farm (IDF), Nagla, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture
and Technology, Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India. The experimental
design was Randomized Block Design with 11 treatments consisting of sole application of
NPK fertilizer, sole application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum, and application of
Azotobacter and Azospirillum along with NPK fertilizer. It was found that field emergence
percent did not differ significantly with different integrated nutrient management practices,
however significantly higher plant population was recorded at application of 100%
NPK+Azot+Azos followed by 75% NPK+Azot+Azos though both were non-significant.
Similarly tallest plants were recorded with application of 100% NPK+Azot+Azos followed by
75% NPK+Azot+Azos at 25 DAS as well as at harvest stage. Integrated nutrient management
practices had significant effect on dry matter production too at all growth stages. Application
of 75% NPK+Azot+Azos produced significantly higher dry matter at 25 DAS, however at 50
DAS and harvesting stage, significantly higher dry matter production was recorded with
application of 100% NPK+Azot+Azos. Also the dry matter accumulation in baby corn, green
fodder and total was affected significantly by different integrated nutrient management
practices with value of each one being highest under application of 100% NPK+Azot+Azos.
The study concluded the importance of integrated nutrient management practice for better
growth and development of baby corn as higher dose of nitrogen coupled with biofertilizers,
being an integrated nutrient application treatment, improved the plant growth and plant
population leading to higher dry matter accumulation.