Effect of phenophase based irrigation schedules on growth, yield and quality of baby corn (Zea mays L.)

H. K. Shivakumar, B. K. Ramachandrappa, H. V. Nanjappa,   Mudalagiriyappa

Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India.

DOI: 10.4236/as.2011.23035                

Abstract

The field experiment was conduced at the Agronomy Field Unit, Main Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore, India during 2002 and 2003 to study the effect of irrigation schedules on growth, yield and quality of baby corn. The soil of the experimental site was red sandy loam in texture with neutral reaction. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were seven treatments of irrigation schedules based on IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 and 1.0 during different phenophases of baby corn. The results of the experiment revealed that the baby corn dry matter was significantly higher (75.57 g.plant^–1) with higher green fodder yield of 43.47 t.ha^–1 due to irrigation scheduled at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 followed by moisture stress at early stage (I₃). Irrigations scheduled at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 registered significantly higher baby corn yield of 6.60 t.ha^–1 followed by the delayed irrigation at early stage of 10 - 25 DAS. Significantly higher crude protein, phosphorus, potassium and lower reducing sugars and ascorbic acid content of baby corn was recorded under IW/CPE ratio of 1.0. Delayed irrigation at 0.6 IW/CPE ratio through-out produced baby corn with higher taste and juiciness. The total crop water use ranged from 294.10 to 469.10 mm, respectively under continuously delayed irrigation at 0.6 IW/CPE ratio and frequent irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 which also recorded higher water use efficiency.

Keywords

Baby Corn; Irrigation Schedule; IW/CPE Ratio; Yield; Soil Moisture; Stress Day Index

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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