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Agricultural Science Digest, volume 42 issue 3 (june 2022) : 307-311

Evaluation of Sweetcorn Hybrids under Varying Planting Density and Nutrient Levels

A.P. Sivamurugan1,*, R. Ravikesavan1, C. Bharathi2
1Department of Millets, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
Cite article:- Sivamurugan A.P., Ravikesavan R., Bharathi C. (2022). Evaluation of Sweetcorn Hybrids under Varying Planting Density and Nutrient Levels . Agricultural Science Digest. 42(3): 307-311. doi: 10.18805/ag.D-5465.

ABSTRACT

Background: Productivity of sweet corn depends on genetic makeup and adoption of innovative technological interventions viz., planting density, balanced application of organic manures and fertilizers, herbicides etc. Nevertheless, the response to the aforementioned interventions may vary with different locations owing to varied climatic and edaphic and other management factors. Enhancement in productivity can be achieved through adoption of proper planting density and nutrient management as they play a vital role. The present study aimed to evaluate different sweet corn hybrids under varied planting density and nutrient levels for improving the productivity of sweetcorn. 

Methods: Field experiments were conducted during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020 to evaluate sweet corn hybrids under varying planting density and nutrient levels. The experiments were laid out in a split split plot design. In the main plot, two sweet corn hybrids and in the sub plot, two planting densities and in the sub sub plot, three nutrient levels were tried. Observations on growth, green cob yield and green fodder yield were recorded.

Result: Based on the results of two years of experimentation, it is concluded that MISTHI recorded higher green cob yield (16330 kg ha-1), net return (Rs. 64931/ha) and B:C ratio (2.47) under 60 × 15 cm with 100% RDF (120:60:45 NPK kg/ha). CSCH-15001 recorded relatively lower green cob yield (15649 kg ha-1), net return (Rs. 61291/ha) and B:C ratio (2.38) under 60 × 15 cm with 100% RDF.

INTRODUCTION

Sweet corn is one of the most promising vegetables in the developed countries of the world. In India, it is becoming popular among the peri-urban farmers due to high market potential in urban areas. It has high sugar content of 16-18% (Znidarcic, 2012) and is a rich source of carbohydrate, vitamin C, niacin, thiamine and vitamin A and has significant amount of dietary fibre and potassium (Erdal et al., 2011 and Santos et al., 2014). It is highly delicious and the green cobs are eaten as raw, boiled or steamed or used in the preparation of soup, salad and other recipes and the stover after harvest of cobs is used as a green fodder for milch animals.
       
Yield potential of sweet corn is mainly based on its genetic makeup and the environment where it grows. Nevertheless, maximum genetic potential can be exploited through congenial environment as the yield is interactive product of genotype, management and environmental factors. Agro techniques or management factors viz., tillage, planting density, irrigation, weed management, nutrient management and pest and disease management are recommended for adoption to improve the productivity of sweet corn. However, responses to these aforementioned practices vary across environments. Among them, planting density and nutrient management plays an important role in enhancing the productivity of sweet corn. The yield of a crop is decided based on planting density as it directly affects the yield attributes and yield (Oktem and Oktem, 2005). Optimum planting density ensures effective utilization of land, water, nutrients and other resources resulting in better growth and development of crops. Sweet corn removes large quantities of nutrients especially nitrogen, phosphorus   and potassium from soil for the growth. Remarkable reduction in yield is observed when the supply of nitrogen is suboptimal from the soil as other nutrients are not absorbed and translocated properly by the plants (Haque et al., 2001). Hence, balanced application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium  plays a vital role in increasing the yield of sweet corn. Keeping in view the above facts, the present experimentation was conducted to evaluate sweet corn hybrids under varying planting density and nutrient levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field experiments were carried out at Department of Millets, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020 to evaluate sweet corn hybrids under varying planting density and nutrient levels.  The experimental site is located at 11°N latitude, 77°E longitude and at an altitude of 426.7 m above the MSL. The soil was sandy clay loam and low in available N, medium in available P and high in available K. During the cropping period, a total rainfall of 135.5 mm was received in 12 rainy days. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures were 30.8°C and 21.3°C, respectively. Relative humidity ranged from 71 to 86 and 32 to 48 per cent during forenoon and afternoon, respectively. The experiments were laid out in a split split plot design. In the main plot, two sweet corn hybrids viz., H1- CSCH - 15001 and H2 - MISTHI and in the sub plot, two planting densities viz., D1- 60 × 20 cm and D2 - 60 × 15 cm and in the sub sub plot, three nutrient levels viz., N1-100% RDF (120:60:45 NPK kg/ha),N2-90% RDF (108:54:41 NPK kg/ha) and N3- 80% RDF (96:48:36 NPK kg/ha) were tried in three replications in both the years. Observations on plant height at harvest, green cob yield, green fodder yield, TSS, nutrient uptake, soil available NPK were recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Plant height, green cob yield, green fodder yield and TSS
 
The data on plant height, yield and TSS are given in Table 1. Experimental results revealed that the sweet corn hybrids exerted significant influence on plant height at harvest during Kharif, 2019. Among the hybrids, MISTHI (H2) recorded higher plant height of 192.1cm at harvest which was significantly superior to H1 (CSCH-15001). The hybrids did not evince significant effect on plant height at harvest during Kharif, 2020. Planting densities and nutrient levels failed to exert significant influence on plant height at harvest in both the years. Nevertheless, D2 (60 × 15 cm) recorded higher plant height of 186.9 cm and 216.8 cm during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020,respectively. This was ascribed to more competition for space, light, nutrients and other resources which favoured higher plant height under high density. The results are in accordance with the findings of Mathukia et al., 2014 and Nandeha et al., 2016.In respect of nutrient levels, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher recorded higher plant height of 189.5 cm and 219.2 cm during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020,respectively.This might be due to higher availability of nutrients leading to prolonged vegetative growth thus favoured plant height .These results confirm with those findings of Singh et al., 2019, Kumar et al., 2007 who reported that plant height increased with  enhanced level of NPK application. The interaction effect was not significant.
 

Table 1: Effect of planting density and nutrient levels on plant height, green cob yield, green fodder yield and TSS.


       
Though MISTHI (H2) recorded higher green cob yield of 13905 kg ha-1and 14663 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively there was no significant influence on green cob yield among the hybrids in both the years. With respect to planting density, D2 (60 × 15 cm) recorded higher green cob yield of 14745 kg ha-1and 15651 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was significantly superior to D1 (60 × 20 cm). This might be due to higher dry matter production through effective utilization of space, light, nutrients etc. under high density compared to low density as the yield directly depends on plant population. The results confirm the findings of Massey and Gaur, 2013, Dangariya et al., 2017 and Kumar and Chawla, 2018. In respect of nutrient levels, N1(100%RDF) recorded higher yield of 14295 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 which was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF. In Kharif 2020, also N1(100%RDF) recorded higher yield of 15130 kg ha-1 which was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF. The increased yield with 100%RDF might be due to improved absorption and translocation of nutrients through better root establishment thus favouring more production of chlorophyll in plants. This facilitated the utilization of more solar energy for production of carbohydrates. Better availability of photosynthates improved length, girth of cob and test weight of grain resulting in higher yield. The results are in accordance with the findings of Akhtar and Silva,1999; Grazia et al., 2003; Singh et al., 2003; Sonbai et al., 2013; Dangariya et al., 2017 and Rao et al., 2020. The interaction was found to be non-significant.
       
Green fodder yield was not significantly influenced by the hybrids. Nevertheless, H1 (CSCH-15001) recorded higher green fodder yield of 9855 kg ha-1 and 10210 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. Among the planting densities, D2 (60 × 15 cm) recorded higher green fodder yield of 10393 kg ha-1 and 10768 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was significantly superior to D1 (60 × 20 cm).This was ascribed to higher biomass accumulation by utilizing the natural resources effectively under high density. The results confirm the findings of Sunitha and Reddy (2012), Mathukia et al., (2014) and Kumar and Narayan (2018). With respect to nutrient levels, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher yield of 10644 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 which was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF. During Kharif, 2020, also N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher yield of 10916 kg ha-1 which was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF. The increased green fodder yield with the application of 100%RDF might be due to the development of extensive root system, which favoured more absorption and translocation of nutrients thus enhanced photosynthetic activity, high rate of assimilation, better growth and development. The results are in accordance with the findings of Massey and Gaur (2013); Kumar and Chawla, (2018) and Singh, (2019). The interaction effect was not significant. None of the treatments evinced significant influence on TSS.
 
Nutrient uptake
 
The data on nutrient uptake in grain and stover are given in Table 2. The results revealed that planting density and nutrient levels exerted significant influence on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake in grain and stover. Among the hybrids, MISTHI (H2) recorded higher nitrogen uptake of 62.6 kg ha-1 and 66.1 kg ha-1 in grain during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively which were significantly superior to H1. With respect to planting density, D2 (60 × 15 cm) recorded higher nitrogen uptake of 64.7 kg ha-1 and 69.2 kg ha-1  in grain during Kharif,2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively which were significantly superior to D1. This was ascribed to more plant population under high density which favoured more nutrient uptake. The results confirm the findings of Bharud et al., 2014. In respect of nutrient levels, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher nitrogen uptake of 65.2 kg ha-1 and 69.1 kg ha-1 in grain during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF. Higher uptake of nutrients with application of 100%RDF might be due to establishment of extensive root system, which helped in extraction of nutrients from soil and hastened the process of translocation of nutrients to sink thereby improved the nutrient concentration in grain. The results are in conformity with the findings of Akpan and Udoh, (2017) and Kumar and Narayan, (2018). With respect to nitrogen uptake in stover, there was no significant influence among the hybrids. Nevertheless, H1 (CSCH-15001) recorded higher nitrogen uptake of 61.2 kg ha-1 and 63.8 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. Among the planting density, D2 (60 × 15 cm) recorded higher nitrogen uptake of 64.8 kg ha-1and 67.5 kg ha-1 in stover during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was significantly superior to D1. In respect of nutrient levels, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher nitrogen uptake of 68.6 kg ha-1 in stover during Kharif, 2019 which was significantly superior to 90% RDF and 80% RDF. Crop raised in Kharif 2020, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher nitrogen uptake of 70.6 kg ha-1  in stover which was comparable with  90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF.
 

Table 2: Effect of planting density and nutrient levels on NPK uptake in grain and stover.


       
With respect to phosphorus uptake in grains, there was no significant influence among the hybrids and planting density. However, MISTHI (H2) recorded higher phosphorus uptake of 23.0 kg ha-1 and 23.6 kg ha-1 in grain during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. Among the  planting density, D2 (60 × 15 cm) recorded higher phosphorus uptake of 22.6 kg ha-1 and 23.3 kg ha-1  in grain during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This might be due to increase in plant density which influenced the nutrient uptake. Similar view has been expressed by Massey and Gaur, 2013. With regard to nutrient levels, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher phosphorus uptake of 22.7 kg ha-1 and 23.4 kg ha-1 in grains during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF. Higher nutrient uptake with the application of 100% RDF was due to increase in nutrient content of grain and yield. The results are in accordance with the findings of Singh et al., (2009). With respect to phosphorus uptake in stover, there was no significant influence among the hybrids. Nevertheless, H1 (CSCH-15001) recorded higher phosphorus uptake of 26.2 kg ha-1 and 28.1 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. Among the planting density, D2 (60 × 15 cm) recorded higher phosphorus uptake of 27.5 kg ha-1 and 28.9 kg ha-1  in stover during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was significantly superior to D1. Among the nutrient levels, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher phosphorus uptake of 29.9 kg ha-1 in stover during Kharif, 2019 which was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF. During Kharif 2020, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher phosphorus uptake of 32.1 kg ha-1 in stover which was comparable with  90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF.
       
There was no significant influence among the hybrids in respect of potassium uptake in grain. Nevertheless, MISTHI (H2) recorded higher potassium uptake of 33.9 kg ha-1 and 34.7 kg ha-1 in grain during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. Among the  planting density,  D2 (60 ×15 cm) recorded higher potassium uptake of 35.2 kg ha-1 and 36.3 kg ha-1  in grain during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively which were significantly superior to D1. Higher nutrient uptake under high density was due to increased number of plants ha-1. The results confirm the findings of Nandeha et al., (2016). Among the nutrient levels, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher potassium uptake of 35.4 kg ha-1 and 36.9 kg ha-1 in grain during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF. This might be due to improvement in nutrient concentration of grain favoured by inorganic fertilizer application. The results are in accordance with the findings of Rasool et al., (2016). With respect to potassium uptake in stover, there was no significant influence among the hybrids. However, H1 (CSCH-15001) recorded higher potassium uptake of 104.9 kg ha-1 and 102.3 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. Among the planting density, D2 (60 × 15 cm) recorded higher potassium uptake of 109.6 kg ha-1 and 106.8 kg ha-1 in stover during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was significantly superior to D1. In respect of nutrient levels, N1 (100%RDF) recorded higher potassium uptake of 114.8 kg ha-1 and 111 kg ha-1 during Kharif, 2019 and Kharif, 2020, respectively. This was comparable with 90% RDF but was superior to 80% RDF.
 
Economics
 
The data on net return and B:C ratio are given in Table 3. During Kharif, 2019, H2 (MISTHI) under 60 × 15 cm spacing with 100% RDF (120:60:45 NPK kg/ha) registered higher net return (Rs. 61243/ha) and B:C ratio (2.38). This was followed by  H1 (CSCH-15001) which recorded  a net return  of Rs. 58180/ha and B:C ratio of 2.31 under 60 × 15 cm spacing with 100% RDF. During Kharif 2020, H2 (MISTHI) under 60 × 15 cm spacing with 100% RDF (120:60:45 NPK kg/ha) registered higher net return (Rs. 68618/ha) and BC ratio (2.55). This was followed by H1 (CSCH-15001) which recorded  a net return of Rs. 64402/ha and B:C ratio of 2.45 under 60 × 15 cm spacing with 100% RDF. Lower net return and B:C ratio were registered by H1 (CSCH-15001) under 60 × 20 cm spacing with 80% RDF (96:48:36 NPK kg/ha) in both the years.
 

Table 3: Effect of planting density and nutrient levels on economics of sweetcorn hybrids.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of two years of experimentation, it is concluded that MISTHI recorded higher green cob yield (16330 kg ha-1), net return (Rs. 64931/ha) and BC ratio (2.47) under 60 × 15 cm with 100% RDF (120:60:45 NPK kg/ha). CSCH-15001 recorded relatively lower green cob yield (15649 kg ha-1), net return (Rs. 61291/ha) and B:C ratio (2.38) under 60 × 15 cm with 100% RDF.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

REFERENCES


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