Effect of zinc fertilization on yield and economics of baby corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during the kharif season 2016, to study the effect of zinc fertilization on yield and economics of baby corn. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design consisting of twelve treatments and replicated thrice. In the present experiment soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% at 25 DAS and at 40 DAS recorded significantly higher number of cobs per plant, corn and cob weight, corn and cob length, corn and cob girth and also corn yield, cob yield, husk yield and green fodder yield. Gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio were recorded highest with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% at 25 DAS and at 40 DAS. Each increment of zinc application correspondingly improved yield and yield attributes as well as gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio of baby corn.