Author(s): D. DUTTA, D. DUTTA MUDI AND T.L. THENTU

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during 2010 to 2012 (three years) at Gayeshpur, Nadia, West Bengal to investigate the effect of irrigation schedules and planting geometry on growth, yield and water-use efficiency (WUE) of summer baby corn (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with four irrigation levels viz. conventional method (Farmers’ practice), IW/CPE ratios of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 in main plots and three levels of planting geometry viz. 30 × 30 cm, 45 × 20 cm and 60 × 15 cm in sub-plots. Pooled results of three years showed that significantly higher growth, yield attributes and cob yield of baby corn (1310 kg ha^-1) were obtained with irrigation at IW/CPE 1.0, which was statistically at par with conventional irrigation. However, the maximum WUE of 3.91 kg ha-mm^-1 was recorded with IW/CPE 0.6. While the planting geometry of 45 × 20 cm exhibited significantly higher baby corn yield, but on a par with 60 × 15 cm geometry. The highest gross return, net return and benefit-cost ratio were recorded with IW/CPE 1.0 and 45 × 20 cm planting geometry.

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