Effect of Spacing and Nitrogen on Yield and Economics of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) in Prayagraj Region

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University, Prayagraj, to study the effect of spacing and nitrogen levels on the yield, yield attributes and economics of baby corn (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments and three replications, comprising three spacings (30 × 20, 35 × 25 and 40 × 30 cm) and three nitrogen levels (60, 70 and 80 kg N/ha) along with a control. The results revealed that the widest spacing of 40 × 30 cm combined with 80 kg N/ha (T9) recorded the maximum number of cobs per plant (2.63), cob length (12.84 cm), cob weight per plant (32.93 g), cob yield with husk (239.16 g/plant), cob yield without husk (40.58 g/plant), green fodder yield (21.53 t/ha) and biological yield (62.11 t/ha). The same treatment also gave the highest cob yield (102.30 q/ha), gross return (₹ 3,34,850/ha), net profit (₹ 2,47,728/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (2.84), and proved to be the most productive and economically viable treatment for baby corn cultivation under the alluvial soil conditions of the Prayagraj region.