Impact of Nitrogen Levels and Tassel Removal on the Growth Parameters and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)
O. Vamshi *
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, India.
S.C. Sahoo
Department of Agronomy, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, India.
K. Vinay Reddy
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agriculture University, 500030, India.
Vijay Sree Chopde
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agriculture University, 500030, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was performed during the rabi season of 2020-21 at the Agronomy Main Research Farm, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, to evaluate the Impact of nitrogen levels and tassel removal on the growth parameters and yield of Baby corn. The study employed a split-plot design with three replications, featuring six nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 kg N ha-1) as main plot treatments and two detasseling practices (with and without tassel) as subplot treatments. Results indicated that growth parameters were significantly influenced by nitrogen application. The application of 200 kg N ha-1 resulted in superior plant height and dry matter accumulation, although it remained statistically at par with 160 kg N ha-1. Leaf area index (LAI) followed a similar trend, showing maximal values at 200 kg N ha-1, which were comparable to 160 kg N ha-1 and 120 kg N ha-1 at the harvest stage. While detasseling did not significantly affect plant height or LAI, it markedly enhanced overall yield compared to non-detasseled plants. Plants with tassel have higher dry matter accumulation than without tassels. Consequently, the higher yields were recorded with the application of 200 kg N ha-1 and it was at par with 160 kg N ha-1. Detasseling resulted in greater yields than the plants with tassel.
Keywords: Nitrogen, detasseling, baby corn, growth