Influence of integrated plant nutrient supply on growth, productivity and quality of baby corn (Zea mays) in Indo-Gangetic plains

A field experiment was conducted during 2004 and 2005 on sandy clay-loam soil of university research farm, Kalyani, on baby corn (Zea mays L.). Combined application of organic sources of nutrients, viz. neem seed pow- der @ 1.5 tonneslha or karanj-cake L. @ 1.25 tonnestha, farmyard manure @ 7.5 tonnestha, commercial formu- lation of pelleted form of organic manures @ 0.75 tonnestha and organic manure rich with humus @ 1.8 tonnesl ha along with 75% recommended dose of NPK fertilizer (RDF), were effective in increasing the standard corn yield by 6.20%-40.53% over the control (100% RDF). The biomax (pelleted form of organic manure) proved most effective in increasing the dehusked corn yield (30.32%) and standard yield (40.53%) over the control. Ap- plication of organics along with chemical fertilizer improved the yield attributes, quality parameter of protein con- tent of corn over the control. Judicious application of organic manure along with inorganic fertilizer improved fer- tility status of the soil (N, P, K and organic C). The maximum net return, benefit : cost ratio and removal of nutrient by baby corn (67.68, 13.88 and 90.02 kglha of N, P and K respectively) was obtained when the crop manage- ment was done with 75% RDF + pelleted form of organic manure.