Madras Agric. J. 92 (10-12) : 646 - 652 October-December - 2005

646

EFFECT OF CROP GEOMETRY, INTERCROPPING SYSTEM AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON COB YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF BABY CORN (ZEA MAYS L.). N. THAVAPRAKAASH, K. VELAYUDHAM and V.B. MUTHUKUMAR Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India. Abstract: Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Coimbatore during late rabi 2002 (January to March) and late rabi 2002 - 03 (December-March) seasons to study the impact of varied crop geometry, short duration intercrops and Integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on the production of baby corn . Two crop geometry (45 x 25 cm (s1) and 60 x 19 cm (s 2)) and two short duration intercrops (radish and coriander) along with control (no intercrop) were taken in main plot. Recommended dose of fertilizers (100% NPK-N|) along with three INM practices [50% NPK + FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (N2), 50% NPK + poultry manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (N3) and 50% NPK + goat manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (N4)] were assigned to subplot in a split plot design. The trial was replicated thrice. The experimental results revealed that crop geometry and INM treatments influenced significantly on the nutrient uptake of baby corn. Baby corn spaced at 60 x 19 cm recorded higher uptake of N (188.9 and 184.1 kg ha1), P (21.5 and 23.0 kg ha”1) and K (352.0 and 352.5 kg ha”1) respectively during late rabi 2002 and the late rabi 2002-03 seasons than 45 x 25 cm spacing. Intercropping systems did not influence the nutrient uptake. All the INM practices showed higher NPK uptake than N|. Among the three INM practices, the treatments N 3 and N 4 recorded significantly higher N, P and K uptake than N|. Almost similar results were obtained in green cob yield of baby corn. Baby corn Equivalent Yield (BEY) was higher with S2 than S|. Intercropped baby corn produced higher BEY than sole baby corn. The treatments N3 and N4 recorded significantly more BEY values when compared to N2 and N|. The correlation between NPK uptake and baby corn yield was positive and significant during both the seasons and with BEY. significant only during late rabi 2002 season. Key words: Baby corn, Cob yield. Crop geometry, Intercropping systems. Nutrient management. Nutrient uptake.

INTRODUCTION There is a change in traditional usage of maize as food and increase in consumption of green ears as food has been observed, especially in and around cities and towns. The sweet succulent and delicious baby corn is a medium plant type and provides green ears within 65-75 days after sowing. As it is a new plant type, there is an urgent need to find out suitable agro-techniques to study the uptake pattern and obtain higher production and ultimately higher income to farmers. Crop geometry is one of the important factors, which has to be maintained at optimum level to harvest maximum solar radiation and utilize the soil

resources effectively. Though the spacing requirement of grain and fodder maize has been standardized, the information on the influence of spacing on yield and quality of baby corn that too under intercropping situation is lacking. The duration of baby corn ends with 65-75 days; until it enters into reproductive phase (45-55 days after sowing) the resources viz., space, light, moisture and nutrients are under utilized. Such resources could effectively be utilized by mixing short duration intercrops having life cycle of 50 days. Short duration vegetables grown in-between the agricultural crops is the recent advancement to fulfill the requirement of vegetables with out any reduction in agricultural area. Performance of radish

EFFECT OF CROP GEOMETRY, INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON COB YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF BABY CORN (ZEA MAYS L.)

(Reddy el al., 2001) and coriander (Jadhav el al., 1992) as intercrops under different cropping situations are well documented. Integration of organics and or bio-fertilizers is the need of the day to maintain the soil health and quality of the produce. Judicious combination of organic manures (Nanjundappa el al., 2000) or bio-fertilizers viz., Azospirillum (Rai and Gaur, 1982) and Phosphobacteria (Datta el al., 1992) along with inorganic fertilizers not only reduces the quantity of chemical fertilizers to be applied but also improve the yield and quality of crops. Information on the optimum crop geometry to explore the available resources, suitable intercrops for higher income per unit area and unit time and effect of organic manures in combination with inorganic and bio-fertilizers on baby corn yield and its quality is meagre. Hence, the present study was planned and undertaken. MATERIALS AND METHODS Field experiments were conducted during late rabi (January - March) 2002 and late rabi 2002 - 03 (December - March) season at Eastern Block farm, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The experimental site is located at 11°N latitude, 77° E longitude with an altitude of 426.7 m above MSL. The soil of the experimental area was sandy clay loam (Typic Ustropept) low in organic carbon (0.31 and 0.32%) and available N (223.6 and 229.7 kg ha-1), medium in available P (12.9 and 13.1 kg ha-1) and high in available K (421.6 and 436.7 kg ha”1) during late rabi 2002 and 2002 - 03 seasons respectively. The baby corn composite CoBCl, radish cv. Pusa chetki and coriander cv. CO 4 were chosen for the study. The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications. Two factors viz., crop geometry with two spacings (45 x 25 cm and 60 xl9 cm) and intercropping systems (sole baby corn, baby corn + radish and baby corn + coriander) and integrated nutrient management practices with four levels (N1 - 100 % of the recommended dose of NPK (150:60:40 kg ha -1) N 2 - 50% NPK + FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria; N3 - 50% NPK + Poultry manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria; N4 - 50% NPK + Goat manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria) were assigned in sub plots. Before sowing, furrows were formed in the beds as per the

647

spacing treatments. The baby corn seeds were pretreated with fungicide (Carbendazim @2 g kg-1 of seeds), sown in the furrows and covered with soil. Organic manures were applied as per the treatment (on equal N basis) and incorporated into the soil uniformly. Bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria) @ 2kg ha-1 were mixed along with well-powdered FYM and spread uniformly as per the treatment. Recommended dose of nitrogen (150 kg ha-1) as Urea. 60 kg ha-1 of phosphorus as Single super phosphate and 40 kg ha-1 of potassium as Muriate of potash were applied as per the treatment schedule. Fifty per cent of N and K fertilizers along with full dose of P were applied as basal. Remaining half N and K were applied as top dressing at 25 DAS. The oven dried plant samples of baby corn at harvest were chopped and ground in Wiley mill and was analyzed for available N, P2O5 and K2O. The nutrient values obtained as percentage in the analysis were computed to kg ha-1 by multiplying with the corresponding DMP obtained for each treatment. Nitrogen content in the plant sample was estimated by micro-kjeldahl method as per the procedure given by Bremner (1965). This was expressed as percentage on dry weight basis and computed to kg ha -1 . Total phosphorus content was estimated by, using triple acid digestion extract using photoelectric calorimeter with blue filter as described by Jackson (1973). The amount of phosphorus content was determined by referring to a standard curve and the uptake computed was expressed in kg ha-1. Total potassium uptake in the plant sample was estimated from triple acid extract using flame photometer (Jackson, 1973) and the uptake was expressed in kg ha-1. Whereas, to record green cob yield, harvested cobs from the net plot were weighed and cob yield was recorded from individual plots and expressed in kg ha-1. Baby corn equivalent yield was worked out based on the formulae evolved by Verma and Modgal (1983). The data obtained from yield and nutrient uptake are subjected to statistical analysis as described by Gomez and Gomez (1984). Correlation analysis made between cob yield and BEY with uptake of nutrients.

648 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Nutrient uptake Crop geometry levels significantly altered the NPK uptake during both the seasons (Table 1). During, late rabi 2002 season, higher N (188.9 kg ha-1), P (21.5 kg ha -1) and K (352.0 kg ha-1) was recorded at 60 x 19 cm spacing when compared to 45 x 25 cm spacing. This was true with late rabi 2002-03 season also. Higher drymatter accumulation at 60 cm wider row spacing led to higher uptake of N. Generally, when the uptake of N is more, the crop has a tendency to absorb more P and K. Sukanya (1997) also obtained the increased uptake of NPK under wider spacing of baby corn. No marked influence on nutrient uptake was evidenced due to the different intercropping systems. Nutrient uptake by baby corn was not influenced by the intercrops during all the seasons of study. Since the intercrops were harvested before 45 DAS, the nutrients applied to the soil were not much depleted and this might be the reason for obtaining non-significant results of nutrient uptake in baby corn. The effect of INM practices on nutrient uptake was significant during all of the seasons. During late rabi 2002 season, the highest nutrient removal viz., N (188.4 kg ha-1), P (21.9 kg ha-1) and K (360.2 kg ha-1) was recorded in combined application of inorganic, poultry manure and bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria) (N 3) and was comparable with N4 (50 % NPK + goat manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria). Incorporation of FYM in addition to inorganic and bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria) (N2) registered lower than N3 and N4 whereas superior over N1. The results were similar during late rabi 2002-03 season also. This was due to the increased DMP of baby corn crop, which in turn increased NPK-uptake. The built up of vigorous growth and higher photosynthetic rate, led to better uptake of nutrients by the crop. Improvement of nutrient uptake due to organic manures was reported by Cooperband et al. (2002). Green cob yield Irrespective of the treatments, green cob yields were higher (6801 to 7707 kg ha-1) during late rabi

N. THAVAPRAKAASH, K. VELAYUDHAM and V.B. MUTHUKUMAR

2002 season as compared with late rabi 2002-03 (5167 to 5608 kg ha-1). Crop geometry led substantial increase in green cob yield of baby corn (Table 2). Baby corn raised at 60 x 19 cm (S2) produced higher cob yields over S1 (45 x 25 cm). The percentage increase of S2 over S1 was 11.5 and 3.6 during late rabi 2002 and late rabi 2002-03 seasons respectively. The results of pooled analysis also indicated the same trend where the increase was 7.9 per cent. The increase was due to the effective utilization of applied nutrients, increased sink capacity and higher nutrient uptake of crop. Khafi et al. (2000) also reported higher yields of maize under wider spacing. No significant response was observed on green cob yield due to the intercropping systems. Non-significant results obtained in growth and yield characters ultimately reflected on the green cob yield of baby corn also. The similar results on yield of maize were also reported by Tiwari et al. (2002). INM treatments had synergistic effect on green cob yield of baby corn during both the seasons. Combined application of inorganic and bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria) along with poultry manure (N3) produced higher cob yield (7707 kg ha-1) when compared to FYM (N 2) incorporated with inorganic and bio-fertilizers (7012 kg ha-1) and inorganic fertilizers (N1) alone (6801 kg ha-1) during late rabi 2002 season. Same trend was also noticed during late rabi 2002-03 season and pooled mean data. Application of poultry manure increased the P availability through the formation soluble complex with organic legends and thus increased the P uptake. Transformation from existing solid phase of K to a soluble metal complex increased the K uptake (Das et al., 1981). Considerable amount of N present in the manures and also narrow C: N ratio accelerated the N release (Bishnoi and Bajwa. 1994). Fixation of atmospheric N and secretion of growth promoting substances of Azospirillum and increased bacterial efficiency by Phosphobacteria combined together might have increased the growth and yield parameters and ultimately the yield of baby corn. Yield increase due to poultry manure (Reddy and Reddy, 1999). sheep/ goat manure (Ramesh, 1998). bio-fertilizers (Mishra et al., 1998) were reported earlier. The response of

EFFECT OF CROP GEOMETRY, INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON COB YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF BABY CORN (ZEA MAYS L.)

INM treatments on fodder yield was similar to cob yield. Baby corn Equivalent Yield (BEY) In general, the BEY was higher during late rabi 2002 season than late rabi 2002-03 season. During late rabi 2002 season wider (60 x 19 cm) crop geometry (S2) registered higher BEY (9257 kg ha-1) than at 45 x 25 cm (8791 kg ha-1). This was true with late rabi 2002-03 also. The pooled mean also indicated the similar trend. The yield increase of S 2 over S1 was 3.8 per cent. Increased BEY was due to higher yield of baby corn recorded under S2. Singh (2000) also reported higher maize equivalent yield at 60 cm row spacing. The effect of intercropping systems on BEY was significant. Sole baby corn (S1) registered lower BEY (7374 and 5384 during late rabi 2002 and late rabi 2002-03 season respectively) as compared to intercropped baby corn (C2 and C3). Pooled data also follow the same trend where 31.4 and 33.2 per cent increase over C1 was recorded in C2 and C3. Additional yield obtained from the intercrops without reducing the main crop yield in turn improved the BEY. Similarly, increased equivalent yield of main crop by addition of intercrops viz.. radish (Reddy et al., 2001) and coriander (Jadhav et al., 1992) under varied component crops was reported earlier. Tiwari el al. (2002) reported that leafy vegetables like coriander did not show any adverse effect on growth and development of main crop which may be attributed to the fact that coriander is shallow rooted with short statured and short duration. This is true with the present investigation, where both the intercrops are shallow rooted and did not compete with baby corn. The INM practices exhibited a positive response on BEY during the course of investigation. During late rabi 2002 season, compensation of 50 percent NPK by organic manure (poultry manure and goat manure) and bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria). (N 3 and N 4 ) recorded significantly superior BEY (9380 and 9248 kg ha”1 respectively) over N 2 (50% NPK + FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria) and N1 (100 % NPK alone) and N1 and N 2 are at par. Similar trend was also noted in late rabi 2002-03 season and also with pooled mean data. Higher yields of baby corn

649

and non-reduction of intercrop yields under these treatments had influenced the BEY. Singh et al. (1997) reported similar findings of increased BEY due to the addition of organic manures. Correlation analysis Correlation between NPK uptake and baby corn yield was positive and significant (0.773**, 0.816** and 0.772**; and 0.894**, 0.865** and 0.915**) during late rabi 2002 and late rabi 200203 seasons, respectively. When the correlation made between BEY and NPK uptake it was positive and significant only (0.578**, 0.637** and 0.632**) during late rabi 2002 season. This relationship clearly indicated the importance of NPK uptake for higher production in baby corn. Thus, the present investigation revealed that raising baby corn at 60 cm row spacing with coriander or radish as intercrop by following INM practices (50% NPK + poultry/goat manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria) would produce maximum baby corn and intercrop yield and also produce higher BEY. REFERENCES Bishnoi, S.R. and Bajwa, M.S. (1994). Poulry manure for more crops. Indian Poultry Industry Year Book. pp. 295-296. Jremner, J.M. (1965). inorganic forms of nitrogen. Methods of Soil Analysis. Black, C.A. (Ed.), American Soc. Agron., Medison, Wisconsin. 1179-1237. Cooperband, L., Bollero. G. and Coale, F. (2002). Effect of poultry litter and compost on soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability and crop production. Nutrient Recycling Agric. Ecosys., 62(2): 185-194. Das. M.. Singh. B.P., Ram. M. Dwivcdi. B.S. and Prasad.. R.N. (1991). Effect of phosphorus fertilizers amended organic manures on P nutrition of crops under mid altitude of Megalaya. Ann. Agric. Res., 12(2): 134-141. Datta, M, Banik, S. and Laskar, S. (1992). Effect of inoculation of phosphate dissolving bacteria on rice (Oryza sativa ) in acid soils. Indian J. Agric. Res.. 62(7): 482- 485.

650 Gomez, K.A., Gomez, A.A.(1984). Statistical Procedure for Agricultural Research. JohnWiley and Sons Inc., New York, p.680. Jackson, M.L. (1973). Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, p.498. Jadhav, Y.R., Attarde, D.R. and Mohita, A.B. (1992). Impact of vegetables on the yield and yield attributes of maize at graded levels of nitrogen. ./. Maharashtra Agric.Univ., 17(2): 241-243. Khafi, H.R., Ramani, B.B., Asha, C.M. and Rethani, K.V. (2000). Effect of different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus and spacing on yield and economics of bajra. Crop Res., 20(3): 411-414. Mishra, M., Patjoshi, A.K. and Jena, D. (1998). Effect of bio-fertilization on production of maize (Zea mays L.). Indian,I. Agron., 43(2): 307310. Nanjundappa, G., Shivaraj, B. Sridhara, S. and Janarjuna, S. (2000). Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients alone and in combination on the growth and yield of fodder maize. Mysore J. Agric. Sci., 34: 247250. Rai, S.N. and Gaur, A.C. (1982). Nitrogen fixation by Azospiriilum spp. and effect of Azospirillum lipoforum on the yield and uptake of wheat crop. Plant Soil, 69: 233. Ramesh, S. (1998). Substitution of inorganic N through poultry manure and livestock wastes in low land rice. M.Sc.(Agri.) Thesis, Tamil Nadu Agric. Univ., Coimbatore.

N. THAVAPRAKAASH, K. VELAYUDHAM and V.B. MUTHUKUMAR

Reddy, B.G and Reddy, M.S. (1999). Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil available micro-nutrient in maize-soybean cropping system. J. Res. ANGRAU, 27(3): 24-28. Reddy, M.T., Ismail, S. and Reddy Y.N. (2001). Performance of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) under graded levels of nitrogen in ber-based intercropping. J. Res. ANGRAU, 28(4): 19-24. Singh. M.K., Pal, S.K., Verma. U.N., Thakur R.and Pasupalak, S. (1997). Effect of fertilizer and plant density on yield attributes and productivity of maize + black gram intercropping. J. Res (BAU), 9(2): 139-143. Singh, V.P. (2000). Planting geometry in maize (Zea mays) and black gram (Phaseolus mungo) intercropping system under rainfed low hill valley of Kumaon. Indian J. Agron., 45(2): 274-278. Sukanya, T.S. (1997). Effect of genotypes and spacing levels on growth and yield of baby corn (Zea mays L.). M.Sc.(Agri.) Thesis. Univ. Agric. Sci., Bangalore. Tiwari, R.S., Agarwal, A. and Senger S.C. (2002). Effect of intercropping in on yield and economics of fennel (Foeniculum vulgure Mill.) Crop Res., 23(2): 369-374. Verma, S.P. and Modgal. S.C. (1983). Production potential and economics of fertilizer application as resource constraints in maizewheat crop sequence. Himachal J. Agric. Res., 9: 89-92.

EFFECT OF CROP GEOMETRY, INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON COB YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF BABY CORN (ZEA MAYS L.)

Table 1.

651

Influence of crop geometry, intercropping systems and INM practices on nutrient uptake (kg ha-1) of baby corn Late Rabi 2002

Treatment

Late Rabi 2002-03

N

P

K

N

P

K

S1

185.4

20.0

343.6

178.0

19.6

327.3

S2

188.9

21.5

352.0

184.1

23.0

341.6

SEd

1.1

0.1

2.1

1.1

0.1

2.1

CD(P=0.05)

2.4

0.3

4.6

2.4

0.3

4.4

Intercropping C1

181.9

20.7

344.9

180.6

21.5

335.3

C2

182.0

20.8

349.5

181.3

21.1

334.6

C3

182.7

20.9

349.9

181.4

21.3

336.4

SEd

1.3

0.2

2.5

1.3

0.2

2.4

CD(P=0.05) “

NS

NS

NS

NS

NS

NS

N1

172.4

19.1

329.7

170.0

19.1

319.1

N2

179.7

20.4

345.4

178.7

21.1

332.1

N3

188.4

21.9

360.2

187.4

22.5

345.1

N4

188.3

21.7

356.0

188.3

22.6

345.5

SEd

2.4

0.3

4.8

2.4

0.3

4.4

CD(P=0.05)

4.9

0.6

9.7

4.8

0.6

8.9

Crop Geometry

INM

InteractionAbsent Crop geometry

Intercropping system

Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

S1-45X25 cm

C1 - Baby corn alone

N1 - Recommended inorganic fertilizers to baby corn

S2 - 60 X 19 cm

C2 - Baby corn + Radish

N2 - 50% NPK of”baby corn + FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria

C3 - Baby corn + Coriander

N3 - 50% NPK of baby corn + Poultry manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria N4 - 50% NPk. of baby corn + Goat manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria

652 Table 2.

N. THAVAPRAKAASH, K. VELAYUDHAM and V.B. MUTHUKUMAR

Cob yield, fodder yield and Baby corn Equivalent Yield of baby corn as influenced by crop geometry, intercropping systems and INM practices Baby corn yield (kg ha-1)

Treatments

Late rabi Late rabi Pooled 2002 2002-03

Fodder yield (t ha-1) Late rabi 2002

Late rabi 2002-03

BEY (kg ha-1)

Late rabi 2002

Late rabi 2002-03

Pooled

Crop Geometry S1

6877

5340

6104

26.6

20.6

8791

6436

7612

S2

7666

5533

6584

29.2

22.1

9257

6541

7900

SEd

218

57

121

0.48

0.23

53

38

41

CD(P=0.05)

485

127

250

1.07

0.51

118

86

91

C1

7124

5384

6250

28.1

21.5

7374

5384

6378

C2

7348

5372

6361

27.9

21.2

9773

7007

8390

C3

7349

5402

6374

27.8

21.3

9926

7074

8498

SEd

266

70

145

0.59

0.28

65

47

54

CD(P=0.05)

NS

NS

NS

NS

NS

144

105

119

N1

6801

5173

5986

25.9

19.8

8779

6274

7526

N2

7012

5167

6090

26.2

20.2

8690

6270

7481

N3

7707

5598

6651

29.8

22.9

9380

6680

8031

N4

7668

5608

6588

29.8

22.4

9248

6724

7985

SEd CD

298

110

186

0.74

0.44

117

86

103

(P=0.05)

604

222

376

1.49

0.89

242

174

220

Intercropping

INM

Interaction Absent Crop geometry

Intercropping system

Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

S1 - 45 X 25 cm

C1 - Baby corn alone

N1 - Recommended inorganic fertilizers to baby corn

S2 - 60 X 19 cm

C2 - Baby corn + Radish

N2 - 50% NPK of baby corn + FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria

C3 - Baby corn + Coriander

N3 - 50% NPK of baby corn + Poultry manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria N4 - 50% NPK of baby corn + Goat manure + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria