Effect of Crop Geometry, Intercropping and Topping Practices on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Fertility Status of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of crop geometry, intercropping and topping practices on the productivity and soil fertility status baby corn. Two levels of crop geometry (60 x 20 cm and 75 x 16 cm), two intercrops (baby corn alone, baby corn + fenugreek (greens), baby corn + fodder cowpea) and four topping practices (detasseling alone, topping beyond 9^th, 10^th and 11^th internode) were studied in split plot design. Results revealed that crop geometry at 75 x 16 cm produced higher green cob yield and nutrient uptake over 60 x 20 cm. Intercropping systems did not have positive influence on cob yield as well as nutrient uptake of baby corn. Among the topping practices, higher green cob yield and nutrient uptake were obtained with topping beyond 10^th internode than detasseling alone. Higher baby corn equivalent yield (BEY) was obtained with baby corn + fenugreek grown under 75 cm row spacing combined with topping beyond 10^th internode. Available N status of the soil was higher in baby corn + fenugreek intercropping system but it was at par with baby corn intercropped with fodder cowpea during both the years. The soil available P and K levels did not vary due to crop geometry and intercropping systems. Topping with detasseling alone registered higher soil fertility status over others in both the years.