EFFECT OF LEVEL AND TIME OF NITROGEN APPLICATION IN BABY CORN (ZEA MAYS L.)

The growth parameters like plant height, dry matter yield, leaf area and leaf area index were significantly increased with increase in rates of nitrogen application up to 90 Kg N/ha. The difference between 60 kg N/ha and 40 kg N/ha were also significant. Nitrogen applied in 3 equal splits as 1/3 basal+ 1/3 knee height+ 1/3 pre tasseling Stages of baby corn resulted in significantly highest growth parameters of baby corn. The plant height is maximum at nitrogen level 90 kg/ha i.e., 63.12 cm, 72.34 cm and 167.80 cm at 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS respectively. Regarding interaction it is maximum at S4 (1/3 basal+ 1/3 knee height+ 1/3 pre tasseling Stages) and 90 kg N/ha i.e. 184.39 cm. Dry matter yield is maximum at S4 and nitrogen level 90 kg/ha i.e. 6096.07 kg/ha. Leaf area is maximum at nitrogen level 90 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS i.e. 115.32 cm2, 336.12 cm2 and 533.18 cm2 respectively. Similarly, leaf area index is maximum at nitrogen level 90 kg/ha i.e. 0.15, 0.42 and 0.67 at 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS respectively.