Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during kharif, 2006 and 2007 to study the effect of crop geometry, intercropping and topping on the light interception and productivity of baby corn. Crop geometry (60 x 20 cm and 75 x 16 cm) and intercropping (baby corn alone, baby corn + fenugreek (greens), baby corn + fodder cowpea) were assigned to main plots. Four topping practices (detasseling alone, topping beyond 9th, 10th and 11th internodes) were allotted to sub plots. The results revealed that light interception was more under wider row spacing of 75 x 16 cm than 60 x 20 cm. Intercropping systems intercepted more light than sole cropping during both the years. Topping beyond 9th internode intercepted more light and it was on par with topping beyond 10th internode. Baby corn raised at 75 x 16 cm produced higher green cob yield over 60 x 20 cm. Intercropping systems did not have positive influence on yield of baby corn. The highest green cob yield was obtained with topping beyond 10th internode. Higher baby corn equivalent yield (BEY) was obtained with baby corn + fenugreek grown under 75 cm row spacing combined with topping beyond 10th internode.

Keywords: Baby corn, crop geometry, intercropping, topping, light interception, green cob yield