4results and Disscussion Revised

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the present investigation entitled, Effect of integrated nutrient

management on growth, yield and quality of baby corn (Zea mays L.) conducted during
the Kharif season of 2016 at the Students Research Farm, Shree Dev Suman Institute of
Education Science and Technology, Dehradun, are presented and discussed as under:
4.1 Periodic plant height
Plant height reflects the vegetative growth behavior of crop plants to the applied
inputs. The comparison of treatment means presented in the Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1
reveals that the rate of increase in plant height of baby corn was not uniform throughout
the crop growth period. It was observed to be slow at initial growth stages and thereafter
increased till harvest of the crop. Among various management treatments, significantly
higher plant height was achieved, where treatment T3 was applied and it remained at par
with treatment T2. On the other hand, plant height of baby corn was recorded to be
significantly lower than all the other treatments at all the observational stages with the
application of control plot treatment T1.
From the observations taken at 15 DAS, it was found that significantly higher
plant height of baby corn was attained with the application of treatment T 3 (5 tonnes of
FYM+100 kg N through inorganic fertilizer) over the treatments T 5, T6, T7 and T1.
However, treatment T3 was found to be statistically at par with the treatments T 2 and T4.
Further, treatment T4 was recorded statistically superior in attaining plant height over the
treatments T6, T7 and T1 but it remained at par with the treatment T 5. Moreover, treatment
T5 was found to be statistically superior over treatment T 1, but it has shown statistical
parity with the treatments T6 and T7 for plant height. On the other hand treatment T1
produced significantly low plant height of baby corn as compared to other treatments.
It was noted that at 30 DAS, treatment T 3 (5 tonnes of FYM+100 kg N through

inorganic fertilizer) achieved significantly more plant height than all the other treatments
applied to baby corn except T2 (100% of recommended dose of NPK), which, was found
to be statistically at par with treatment T 3. Moreover, treatment T4 though observed a
significant increase in plant height over the treatments T5, T6, T7 and T1.
29
Table 4.1: Effect of integrated nutrient management on periodic plant height (cm)
of baby corn (Zea mays L.)
Periodic plant height (cm)

Treatment
15 DAS 30 DAS 45 DAS 60 DAS
T1 Control 26.4 46.9 78.8 132.4
T2 100 per cent of recommended N 37.8 65.5 120.3 184.1
T3 5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg inorganic N ha-1 38.6 68.4 124.4 189.1
T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 31.9 53.0 88.1 143.2
C D (p = 0.05) 2.8 3.7 7.2 8.4
However, treatment T4 (10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg N through inorganic fertilizer) was

found to be at par with treatment T 2. Further, treatment T5 was found to be statistically
better than treatment T6, T7 and T1. Similarly, treatment T6 was observed to be statistically
better than treatment T7 and T1. Moreover, all the treatments applied to baby corn were
significantly superior over control plot treatment T1 in attaining plant height.
Moreover, a similar trend of plant height as observed at 30 DAS, was followed at

45 DAS and 60 DAS among all the treatments applied to baby corn crop.
The probable reason behind the better performance of treatments having

integrated nutrient management might be owing to the favorable soil conditions and
synchronized release of plant nutrients throughout the crop growth period leading to
30
improved soil fertility and nutrient use efficiency which ultimately increased plant height.
Similar conclusion was also drawn by Joshi et al. (2013)
4.2 Number of leaves per plant
Number of leaves is an important parameter to determine the photosynthetic

activity of a plant, which influences the growth and yield of the crop. According to the
data presented in the Table 4.2 and Figure 4.2, the rate of increase in number of leaves
was observed to be maximum up to 45 DAS and thereafter decreased as the crop attained
maturity.
At 15 DAS of baby corn crop it was recorded that number of leaves produced by
baby corn with the application of treatment T3 was statistically at par with the treatment
T2. However, treatment T3 resulted in statistical significance over the treatments T 5, T6, T7
and T1. It was observed that treatment T2 was statistically superior over the treatments T5,
T6, T7 and T1 but was recorded at par with the treatment T4. Further, treatment T4 was
found to be significantly better than the treatments T5, T6, T7 and T1. While, treatment T5
was statistically at par with the treatments T 6 and T7in producing number of leaves of
baby corn. On contrary, treatment T1 was observed to be significantly lower in producing
number of leaves of baby corn than all other treatments applied to the baby corn.
Moreover, a similar trend for number of leaves of baby corn as observed at 15

DAS, was followed at 30 DAS among all the treatments applied to baby corn.
At 45 DAS, treatment T3 (5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg N through inorganic source)

produced significantly more number of leaves per plant of baby corn than all the other
treatments but exhibited statistical parity with the treatment T 2. Moreover, treatment T2
(100% recommended dose of N) was observed to be significantly better in producing
more number of leaves of baby corn than the treatments T5, T6, T7 and T1, but was
statistically similar to the treatment T 4. Further, treatment T4 was found to be statistically
better than the treatments T5, T6, T7 and T1. Similarly, treatment T5 was found to be
statistically significant over the treatments T6, T7 and T1. In the same way treatment T6
was observed to be statistically better in producing number of leaves of baby corn than
31
Table 4.2: Effect of integrated nutrient management on periodic number of leaves
per plant of baby corn (Zea mays L.)
Number of leaves per plant

Treatment
15 30 45 60
DAS DAS DAS DAS
T1 Control 3.95 6.12 7.34 7.92
T6 20 tonnes of FYM + 25 kg inorganic N

4.56 6.75 8.75 8.93
ha-1
T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 4.37 6.67 7.96 8.06
C D (p = 0.05) 0.23 0.36 0.55 0.85
the treatments T7 and T1. On the other hand treatment T1 (control plot) produced
significantly lower number of leaves than all other treatments but remains statistically at
par with the treatment T7.
Moreover, a similar trend of production of number of leaves of baby corn as

observed at 45 DAS, was followed at 60 DAS among all the treatments applied to baby
corn crop.
Integrated application of FYM and chemical fertilizers in the treatments might

have resulted in improved soil physical and chemical properties that increased the
production of leaves per plant significantly over control plot treatment.
32
4.3 Leaf area index
Leaf area expresses the capacity of plants to trap solar energy for photosynthesis
and it has marked influence on growth and yield of crop. Data in the Table 4.3 and Figure
4.3 indicated that, in general, for the baby corn crop the rate of increase in leaf area index
was very slow up to15 DAS and thereafter increased up to crop harvest. At all the
periodic intervals, the plots where integrated nutrient management treatments were
applied resulted in significantly higher leaf area index of the baby corn.
However, at 60 DAS, treatment T 3, where 5 tonnes of FYM and 100 kg N was

applied through inorganic fertilizer recorded significantly higher leaf area index of baby
corn than all the other treatments except treatment T2. Moreover, treatment T2 was found
statistically better in having leaf area index than treatment T 1, T5, T6 and T7 but was found
to be at par with the treatment T4. Moreover, treatment T4, was found to be significantly
higher than the treatments T1, T5, T6 and T7 in leaf area index. Further, treatment T5
attained significantly more leaf area index than the treatments T 1, T6 and T7. Similarly,
treatments T6 and found to be superior over the treatment T 7. While, the leaf area index in
the control plots was found to be statistically lower than all other treatments.
Moreover, the similar results of leaf area index of baby corn as observed at 60
DAS was observed at 45 DAS and 30 DAS with the application of all treatments applied
to the baby corn.
However, it was observed at 15 DAS, that application of treatment T 3 (5 tonnes of

FYM + 100 kg of inorganic N) resulted in significantly higher leaf area index over the all
other treatments applied to the baby corn except the treatment T2 (100% recommended
dose of N). Moreover, treatment T2 resulted in significantly higher leaf area index over
the treatments T6, T7 and T1 but it exhibited statistical parity with the treatments T 4 and
T5. Moreover, treatment T5 was found to be significantly better in producing leaf area
index over the treatments T6, T7 and T1.
33
Table 4.3: Effect of integrated nutrient management on periodic leaf area index of
baby corn (Zea mays L.)
Leaf area index

Treatment
15 30 45 60
DAS DAS DAS DAS
T1 Control 0.16 0.32 3.25 4.13
T6 20 tonnes of FYM + 25 kg inorganic N ha -

1 0.22 0.79 4.49 5.25
T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 0.21 0.56 3.95 4.75
C D (p = 0.05) 0.04 0.20 0.48 0.460
In the same way application of treatments T 6 and T7 resulted significant increase in leaf
area index over the treatment T1 but were found to be statistically at par with each other.
It might have been due to the improvement in soil physical and chemical
conditions and balanced release of plant nutrients with the application of FYM and
chemical fertilizers in a particular combination in treatments having integrated
nutrient management strategy that produced statistically better leaf area index over
control.
4.4 Dry matter accumulation
Dry matter of a plant is the accumulation of the photosynthates during the

stipulated growth period and is considered the reliable index of plant vigour and yield. It
is the result of metabolic activities of the crop plants and is the indication of solar energy
34
harvesting efficiency of plants under different treatments. According to the data presented
in the Table 4.4 and Figure 4.4 the dry matter accumulation rate under all the treatments
was slow up to 30 DAS, thereafter it increased at faster rate upto 60 DAS. At all the
periodic intervals, the plots where integrated nutrient management treatments were
applied resulted in significantly higher dry matter accumulation in the baby corn than
control.
Among all the treatments applied to baby corn, application of treatment T 3

(5tonnes of FYM+ 100 kg inorganic N) resulted in significantly more dry matter
accumulation at 15 DAS than all other treatments except treatment T 2 (100%
recommended dose of N) which was at par with the treatment T 3 and it resulted in
significantly higher dry matter accumulation in baby corn over all other treatments. In the
same fashion treatment T4 was better in dry matter production than treatments T1, T6 and
T7 but was found to be at par with the treatment T 5. Similarly, treatment T5 remained at
par with treatment T6. Moreover, treatment T6 was observed to be at par with the
treatment T7. While, treatment T7 was significantly better than the treatment T1 in dry
matter production.
At 60 DAS, the treatment T 3 (5tonnes of FYM+ 100 kg inorganic N) was found

to be significantly superior to all the other treatments in accumulating more dry
matter except treatment T 2 where recommended dose of N was applied. Similarly,
treatment T2 was found to be superior in dry matter production than the treatments T 1,
T5, T6 and T7 but exhibited statistical parity with the treatment T 4. However, treatment
T4 was found to be statistically better in accumulating dry matter than the treatments
T5, T6, T7 and T1. Moreover, treatment T 6 was observed to be better than treatments T 7
and treatment T 1. Similarly, it was observed that treatment T 6 was found to be
significantly better than the treatment T 7. While, control plot treatment T 1 was found
to be statistically lower than the control plot treatment T 7 in accumulation of dry
matter of baby corn. Moreover, a similar trend of dry matter accumulation by baby
corn plant as observed at 60 DAS, was followed at 45 DAS and 30 DAS among all the
treatments applied to the baby corn crop.
35
Table 4.4: Effect of integrated nutrient management on dry matter accumulation (q
ha-1) of baby corn (Zea mays L.)
Dry matter accumulation (q ha-1)

Treatment
15 30 45 60
DAS DAS DAS DAS
T1 Control 0.64 1.89 20.55 53.5
T6 20 tonnes of FYM + 25 kg inorganic N

0.97 4.78 39.75 83.7
ha-1
T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 0.87 3.16 31.07 71.4
C D (p = 0.05) 0.12 1.20 7.17 10.2
The probable reason behind the better performance of treatments having

integrated nutrient management strategy might be owing to the favorable soil conditions,
physicochemical properties of soil and synchronized release of plant nutrients throughout
the crop growth period leading to improved soil fertility and nutrient use efficiency that
resulted in more number of leaves that in result increased the dry matter accumulation.
4.5 Number of days taken to cob formation
36
The number of days taken to baby corn initiation is an important character from
marketing point of view of the crop. The data related to number of days taken from
sowing to cob formation is given in the Table 4.5.
Table 4.5: Effect of integrated nutrient management on number of days

taken to cob formation of baby corn (Zea mays L.)
Number of days taken to

Treatment
cob formation
T1 Control 61.5
T2 100 per cent of recommended N 57.0
T3 5 tonnes of FYM+100 kg inorganic N ha-1 56.5
T4 10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg inorganic N ha-1 58.7
T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 60.7
C D (p = 0.05) 1.2
The data reveals that significantly lesser number of days were taken by baby corn
plants for cob formation in plots received treatment T 3 (5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg
inorganic N ha-1) as compared to all other treatments except treatment T 2, where
recommended dose of N was applied.
Moreover, treatment T2 took significantly less number of days for cob formation
of baby corn than the treatments T4, T5, T6, T7 and T1. Further, treatments T4, T5 and T6
were found to be statistically at par with each other and also had taken significantly less
time for cob formation as compared to control plot treatment T 1. Similarly, treatment T7
was observed to be statistically at par with the treatments T 5 and T6. Contrary to it,
significantly higher time period for cob formation was taken by the control plot treatment
37
T1 over all other treatments except treatment T 7 which exhibited statistical parity with
treatment T1.
It might have been due to improvement in soil physical and chemical

conditions and balanced release of plant nutrients with the application of FYM and
chemical fertilizers in a particular combination that initiates early cob formation in
treatments involving integrated nutrient management practice.
4.6 Number of cobs per plant
Number of cobs per plant is one of the most important character, which has
direct relationship with the ultimate yield of baby corn. It is the total number of cobs
which initiate on an individual plant. As the data in the Table 4.6 and Figure 4.5
reveals, maximum number of cobs per plant were obtained with treatment T 3, equally
followed by treatment T 2 and T4, which were at par with it statistically.
However, treatment T 2 (100% recommended dose of N) was observed to be

superior over the treatments T 5, T6, T7 and T1, although remained at par with the
treatments T 4 and T3. Besides, the treatments T 2, T3 and T4 resulted in same number of
cobs per plant however, were significantly better than the treatments T 5, T6, T7 and T1.
On the other hand, the control plot treatment T 1 resulted in significantly lower number
of cobs in baby corn as compared to all other treatments applied to the baby corn.
However, treatment T 5 was significantly lower than the treatments T 2, T3 and T4 but
was observed to produce statistically higher number of cobs than the treatments T 6, T7
and T1. Similarly, results of treatment T 6 were statistically higher than treatments T 7
and T1. Moreover, treatment T 7 was observed to be statistically superior in producing
number of cobs per plant over the control plot treatment T 1.
The probable reason behind this increase in number of cobs per plant might be
owing to the favourable soil conditions and balanced release of plant nutrients
throughout the crop growth period in plots treated with both inorganic and organic
sources. Same results were also presented by Joshi et al. (2013).
38
Table 4.6: Effect of integrated nutrient management on number of cobs per plant of
Treatment Number of cobs per plant
T1 Control 1.43
C D (p = 0.05) 0.19
4.7 Baby corn length
Baby corn length is an important parameter from the economic point of view as
the sale of the baby corn depends upon the length of the baby corn and its tenderness. It
further depends upon the time of harvesting and management conditions of the crop.
From the data showed in the Table 4.7 and Figure 4.6, it is revealed that the treatment T 3
(5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg N through inorganic source) was significantly superior to all
the other treatments in producing baby corn length except, treatment T 2 where,
recommended dose of nitrogen was applied.
Further, treatments T2 (recommended dose of N) though, was significantly greater

in producing baby corn length but it remain statistically at par with the treatment T 4 (10
39
tonnes of FYM+ 75 kg N through inorganic source). Moreover, treatment T 4 was
significantly higher in attaining baby corn length over treatments T 5, T6, T7 and T1.
Table 4.7: Effect of integrated nutrient management on length (cm) of baby corn
(Zea mays L.)
Baby corn
Treatment
length (cm)
T1 Control 7.15
C D (p = 0.05) 0.21
Similarly, treatment T5 was statistically significant over the treatments T6, T7 and T1. In
the same fashion treatment T6 produced significantly higher baby corn length than
treatment T7. On contrary to it, statistically lowest baby corn length was observed in
control plot treatment T1. The per cent increase with treatment T 3, T2, T4, T5, T6 and T7
over treatment T1 was found to be 128%, 125%, 122%, 111%, 108% and 104%
respectively in baby corn length.
It might be due to the improvement in soil physical and chemical conditions and
balanced release of plant nutrients with the application of FYM and chemical fertilizers
in a particular combination that leads to an increase in baby corn length with treatments
having integrated nutrient management strategy. Rakib et al. (2011) also recorded
40
increased baby corn length due to application of 75% RD +25% N (FYM) among all the
treatment combinations.
41
4.8 Baby corn girth
Baby corn girth is an important parameter from the marketing point of view as it
determines quality of baby corn. It depends upon plant vigour and environmental
conditions. Data in the Table 4.8 and Figure 4.6 showed that treatment T 3 (5 tonnes of
FYM + 100 kg N through inorganic source) produced significantly greater baby corn
girth than all the other treatments except treatment T 2 (100% recommended dose of
nitrogen) which was found to be at par with it. Moreover, treatment T 4 recorded
significantly higher baby corn girth than all the other treatments, but remained
statistically at par with treatment T2.
Among the other treatments a significant increase in baby corn girth was recorded
with the application of treatment T5 over the treatments T6, T7 and treatment T1. In the
same way a significant increase in baby corn girth was achieved with the treatment T 6
over the treatments T7 and T1. However, statistically lower baby corn girth was recorded
with the control plot treatment. The percentage increase in baby corn girth with
treatments T3, T2, T4, T5, T6 and T7 over the control plot treatment T 1 was 139%, 134%,
131%, 124%, 119% and 107% higher respectively.
Combined application of FYM and chemical fertilizers in a particular

combination might have resulted in improved soil physical and chemical properties that
increased the baby corn girth significantly with treatments having integrated nutrient
management. Rakib et al. (2011) also revealed similar results in their research.
4.9 Green cob weight
Green cob weight is the economic part of the plant which persist the yield of the
crop. According to the data given in the Table 4.9 and Figure 4.7, all the treatments where
N was applied whether through organic or inorganic sources have significantly affect the
green cob weight of baby corn than control plot treatment. Maximum green cob weight
was attained with the application of treatment T 3 (54.34gm). Treatment T3 (5 tonnes of
FYM+ 100 kg N through inorganic source) was significantly higher in green cob weight
production of baby corn over all other treatments except, treatment T2.
42
Table 4.8: Effect of integrated nutrient management on girth (cm) of baby corn
(Zea mays L.)
Treatment Baby corn girth (cm)
T1 Control 3.79
C D (p = 0.05) 0.19
Further, treatment T2 where 100% recommended dose of nitrogen was applied,

significantly improved the green cob weight over all other treatments except treatment T3.
Moreover, with the application of treatment T4 (10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg N through
inorganic source) there was a significant increase in green cob weight of baby corn over
the treatments T5, T6, T7 and treatment T1 but, it exhibited statistical parity with treatment
T2.
Among rest of the treatments, T5 produced significantly higher green cob weight
than the treatment T6, T7 and treatment T1. Moreover, treatment T6 was significantly better
over the treatment T7 and T1. However, it was observed that green cob weight recorded
under control plot treatment T1 was significantly lower as compared to all other
treatments. The increase in green cob weight with the application of treatments T3, T2, T4,
43
Table 4.9: Effect of integrated nutrient management on green cob weight (g)
Treatment Green cob weight (g)
T1 Control 32.7
C D (p = 0.05) 3.19
FYM: Farmyard manure
T5, T6 and T7 was 166%, 156%,147%, 136%, 125%, 113% higher respectively as
compared to the control plot treatment.
Increase in green cob weight with integrated nutrient management may be

attributed to the improvement in soil physical and chemical properties, bulk density,
aeration, porosity in addition to quick availability of nitrogen through combined
application of farmyard manure and urea. Saha and Mondal (2006) also reported that
there was a significant increase in green cob weight with the application of 75% RDF +
farmyard manure over application of 100% RDF.
44
4.10 Baby cob weight
Table 4.10: Effect of integrated nutrient management on baby cob weight (gm) of
Treatment Baby cob weight (gm)
T1 Control 6.70
C D (p = 0.05) 0.35
Baby cob weight is the weight of the baby corn without husk. It is the most
important parameter for the yield of baby corn crop and contributes towards the final
baby corn yield. Data related to average baby cob weight is presented in the Table 4.10
and Figure 4.7. After statistical analysis it is concluded that treatments T 3 and T2 were
found to be superior to all the other treatments and produced statistically similar baby cob
weight.
Moreover, treatment T4 recorded significantly better baby cob weight than all the
other treatments T5, T6, T7 and T1 but was at par with the treatment T2. Further, treatment
T5 was observed to be higher in attaining more baby cob weight than the treatments T 6, T7
and T1. Further, significantly more baby corn weight was produced by the treatment T 6
over the treatments T7 and T1 and T7 is statistically superior in attaining baby corn weight
than T1. Significantly lower baby cob weight than all the other treatments was recorded
45
with treatment T1. A per cent increase of 158%, 156%, 143%, 130%, 123% and 116%
was observed in baby cob weight with treatment T3, T2, T4, T5, T6 and T7 respectively over
the control plot treatment T1.
Increase in baby cob weight with integrated nutrient management may be

attributed to the improvement in soil physical and chemical properties, bulk density,
aeration, porosity in addition to quick availability of nitrogen through combined
application of farmyard manure and urea. Saha and Mondal (2006) also reported that
there was a significant increase in green cob weight with the application of 75% RDF +
farmyard manure over application of 100% RDF.
4.11 Baby corn yield
Yield is a major criterion for judging and comparing the efficiency of different
treatments in any particular experiment. It is the result of all the growth and yield
parameters as affected by various treatments. According to the data presented in the Table
4.11 and Figure 4.8, all the treatments, where nitrogen was applied through organic or
inorganic sources, have significantly affected the baby corn yield than control treatment.
Further, highest baby corn yield was obtained with treatment T 3 (19.31 q ha-1), which was
significantly better than all other treatments except, treatment T 2, where recommended
dose of nitrogen (i.e. 125 kg ha-1) was applied was statistically at par with the treatment
T3. Moreover, treatment T2 significantly improved the baby corn yield over all other
treatments except, treatment T4 where it failed to attain statistical significance. Similar
results have also been obtained with T4 treatment in which 75 kg ha-1 nitrogen was
applied through inorganic and rest through organic source by the application of 10 tonnes
of FYM.
Among rest of the treatments, T5 treatment produced significantly higher baby

corn yield than the treatment T6, T7 and T1. Further, treatment T6 was significantly better
over the treatment T7 and T1.The increase in yield of baby corn with treatment T 3, T2, T4,
T5, T6, T7 over control plot treatment (T1) was 211%, 202%, 200%, 178%, 160%, 135%
higher, respectively.
46
The higher baby corn yield with integrated nutrient management practices may be
due to the favourable soil physicochemical properties like soil structure, water-holding
capacity and synchronized release of plant nutrients throughout the crop growth period,
Table 4.11: Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield (q ha -1) of baby

corn(Zea mays L.)
Baby corn yield

Treatment
(q ha-1 )
T1 Control 9.15
C D (p = 0.05) 0.85
which increased the yield contributing characters like cob length, cob girth, baby corn
weight etc. hence, ultimately increased the baby corn yield. Similar trend of result of
baby corn yield was also given by Kmar et al. (2009).
4.12 Fodder yield
Fodder yield is the integrated result of almost all the growth factors like plant
height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and number of leaves per plant. It is an
important parameter for judging the ultimate performance of a crop. According to data
presented in table 4.12 and figure 4.8, all the treatments where nitrogen was applied
whether through organic or inorganic sources, have significantly affected the fodder yield
than control treatment. Further, highest yield was obtained with treatment T 3 (312.33q ha-1)
47
in which nitrogen was applied through 5 tonnes of FYM and remaining 100 kg through
Table 4.12: Effect of integrated nutrient management on green fodder yield (q ha -1)
Treatment Green fodder yield

(q ha-1 )
T1 Control 177.8
C D (p = 0.05) 13.09
inorganic fertilizer to meet the nitrogen requirement of the crop which was found to be at
par with the treatment T2.
Moreover, treatment T2, where recommended dose of N fertilizer (i.e.125 N kg ha -

1
) was applied, significantly improved the fodder yield over treatments T 1, T5, T6, T7
treatments except, the treatment T4 where it failed to attain statistical significance. Similar
results have also been obtained with T 4 treatment, in which 75 kg ha -1 nitrogen was
applied through inorganic and rest through organic source by application of 10 tonnes of
FYM.
Among rest of the treatments, T5 treatment produced significantly higher fodder

yield than the treatment T6, T7 and T1. Further treatment T6 was significantly better over
48
the treatment T7 and treatment T1. The increase in fodder yield with treatment T 3, T2, T4,
T5, T6, T7 over control plot treatment (T1) was 176%, 168%, 163%, 151%, 136%, 118%
higher respectively.
Increased fodder yield with integrated nutrient management might be due to the
better soil conditions created with the incorporation of farmyard manure which resulted
in regular supply of plant nutrients to the plants and increased buffering capacity of soil
and hence result in increased fodder yield. Similar trend of results was also recorded by
Kumar et al. (2008).
4.13 Total soluble sugars (TSS)
TSS is concerned with the quality traits. Data in the Table 4.13 and Figure 4.9
showed that treatment T3 (5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg N through inorganic source)
produced significantly greater TSS content than all the other treatments except the
treatment T2 (100% recommended dose of nitrogen) which exhibit statistical parity with
the treatment T3. Moreover, treatment T4 was found significantly superior over the
treatments T5, T6, T7 and treatment T1.
Among the other treatments a significant increase in TSS content of baby corn
was recorded with the application of treatment T 5 over the treatments T6, T7 and treatment
T1. In the same way a significant increase in TSS content of baby corn was achieved with
the treatment T6 over the treatments T7 and T1. However, statistically lower TSS in baby
corn was recorded with the treatment T1 (control plot).
Combined application of FYM and chemical fertilizers in a particular

combination through treatments having integrated nutrient management, might have
resulted in timely and proper availability of nutrients and also improved soil physical and
chemical properties that increased the TSS in baby corn significantly.
49
Table 4.13: Effect of integrated nutrient management on TSS (%) content of baby
corn (Zea mays L.)
TSS Content
Treatment
(%)
T1 Control 7.52
C D (p = 0.05) 0.19
4.14 Protein content in baby corn
Protein content in Baby corn is an important parameter for judging the quality of
baby corn. Data in the Table 4.14 and Figure 4.10 showed that treatment T 3 (5 tonnes of
FYM+100 kg inorganic N ha-1) produced significantly higher protein content in baby
corn than all the other treatments. Moreover, treatment T2 (100% recommended dose of
N) recorded significantly higher protein content in baby corn over the treatments T 4, T5,
T6, T7 and treatment T1.
Among the other treatments a significant increase in protein content of baby corn
was recorded with the application of treatment T4 over the treatments T5, T6, T7 and
treatment T1. Further, application of treatment T5 was observed to be significantly higher
in protein content. Over the treatments T6, T7 and T1. Moreover, a significant increase in
protein content of baby corn was recorded with the application of treatment T 6 over
50
Table 4.14: Effect of integrated nutrient management on protein content (%) of
Protein Content
Treatment
(%)
T1 Control 13.79
C D (p = 0.05) 0.13
treatments T7 and T1. Similarly, treatment T7 was found to be statistically better for
increasing protein content in baby corn over treatment T 1. On contrary, treatment T1 was
found to be significantly lower than all other treatments for protein content in baby corn.
The increase in protein content may be due to availability of N to plants at proper

time and appropriate amount through treatments involving integrated nutrient
management or recommended dose of N.
51

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of the present investigation entitled, Effect of integrated nutrient

4.1 Periodic plant height

It was noted that at 30 DAS, treatment T 3 (5 tonnes of FYM+100 kg N through

Periodic plant height (cm)

T1 Control 26.4 46.9 78.8 132.4

T2 100 per cent of recommended N 37.8 65.5 120.3 184.1

T3 5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg inorganic N ha-1 38.6 68.4 124.4 189.1

T4 10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg inorganic N ha-1 36.3 64.7 113.7 178.0

T5 15 tonnes of FYM + 50 kg inorganic N ha-1 34.4 60.8 104.5 165.9

T6 20 tonnes of FYM + 25 kg inorganic N ha-1 32.3 56.9 96.2 154.7

T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 31.9 53.0 88.1 143.2

C D (p = 0.05) 2.8 3.7 7.2 8.4

However, treatment T4 (10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg N through inorganic fertilizer) was

Moreover, a similar trend of plant height as observed at 30 DAS, was followed at

The probable reason behind the better performance of treatments having

4.2 Number of leaves per plant

Number of leaves is an important parameter to determine the photosynthetic

Moreover, a similar trend for number of leaves of baby corn as observed at 15

At 45 DAS, treatment T3 (5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg N through inorganic source)

Number of leaves per plant

T1 Control 3.95 6.12 7.34 7.92

T2 100 per cent of recommended N 5.12 7.31 10.1 11.14

T3 5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg inorganic N ha-1 5.25 7.52 10.3 11.19

T4 10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg inorganic N ha-1 4.93 7.18 9.78 10.73

T5 15 tonnes of FYM + 50 kg inorganic N ha-1 4.69 6.80 8.80 9.85

T6 20 tonnes of FYM + 25 kg inorganic N

T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 4.37 6.67 7.96 8.06

C D (p = 0.05) 0.23 0.36 0.55 0.85

Moreover, a similar trend of production of number of leaves of baby corn as

Integrated application of FYM and chemical fertilizers in the treatments might

However, at 60 DAS, treatment T 3, where 5 tonnes of FYM and 100 kg N was

However, it was observed at 15 DAS, that application of treatment T 3 (5 tonnes of

Leaf area index

T1 Control 0.16 0.32 3.25 4.13

T2 100 per cent of recommended N 0.31 1.38 6.00 6.55

T3 5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg inorganic N ha-1 0.35 1.55 6.45 6.98

T4 10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg inorganic N ha-1 0.28 1.27 5.70 6.21

T5 15 tonnes of FYM + 50 kg inorganic N ha-1 0.27 1.00 5.03 5.73

T6 20 tonnes of FYM + 25 kg inorganic N ha -

T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 0.21 0.56 3.95 4.75

C D (p = 0.05) 0.04 0.20 0.48 0.460

4.4 Dry matter accumulation

Dry matter of a plant is the accumulation of the photosynthates during the

Among all the treatments applied to baby corn, application of treatment T 3

At 60 DAS, the treatment T 3 (5tonnes of FYM+ 100 kg inorganic N) was found

Dry matter accumulation (q ha-1)

T1 Control 0.64 1.89 20.55 53.5

T2 100 per cent of recommended N 1.27 9.40 70.59 112.9

T3 5 tonnes of FYM + 100 kg inorganic N ha-1 1.35 10.1 71.96 121.5

T4 10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg inorganic N ha-1 1.18 8.50 65.23 107.7

T5 15 tonnes of FYM + 50 kg inorganic N ha-1 1.09 6.49 48.23 95.6

T6 20 tonnes of FYM + 25 kg inorganic N

T7 25 tonnes of FYM ha-1 0.87 3.16 31.07 71.4

C D (p = 0.05) 0.12 1.20 7.17 10.2

The probable reason behind the better performance of treatments having

4.5 Number of days taken to cob formation

Table 4.5: Effect of integrated nutrient management on number of days

Number of days taken to

T2 100 per cent of recommended N 57.0

T3 5 tonnes of FYM+100 kg inorganic N ha-1 56.5

T4 10 tonnes of FYM + 75 kg inorganic N ha-1 58.7

T5 15 tonnes of FYM + 50 kg inorganic N ha-1 59.6

T6 20 tonnes of FYM + 25 kg inorganic N ha-1 59.8