Yield, nutrient uptake and quality of sweet corn as influenced by transplanting dates and nitrogen levels

Abstract

A field experiment on “Yield, nutrient uptake and quality of sweet corn as influenced by transplanting dates and nitrogen levels” was conducted at research farm of Faculty of Agriculture (SKUAST-K) during 2016. The soil of the experimental field was silty clay loam in texture, low in soil available N and P and medium in available K and neutral in reaction. The treatments comprised of two transplanting dates viz 1st of May and 1st of June and five levels of N viz 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg/ha. Although latter date of sowing resulted in better quality of seedlings but 1st May transplanting was superior in all growth and yield attributes. 1st May transplanting resulted 35.4% and 19.8% higher cob yield and green fodder yield over 1st June transplanting, respectively. Nitrogen application resulted in a significant increase in growth and yield parameters. The green cob yield increased by 34%, 44%, 52%, and 54% respectively at 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg/ha N over control. The corresponding figures for the green fodder yield were 39%, 70%, 91% and 108%, respectively. Highest net profit and benefit cost ratio was realised in 1st May transplanting applied with 120 kg N/ha. There was a significant increase in grain and stover N concentration and total N uptake. Although, transplanting dates and N levels did not affect plant P and K concentration, but their uptake was significantly increased in the earlier planting date and at higher N levels. Earlier planting date had higher protein content in both grain and stover. Higher N levels also resulted in a significant increase in protein content upto 120 kg N ha-1. Although 1st June transplanting had slightly lower TSS but N levels resulted in a incarese in TSS upto 90 kg N/ha.