~ 1027 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2021; 10(11): 1027-1029 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.23 TPI 2021; 10(11): 107-1029 © 2021 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 15-09-2021 Accepted: 27-10-2021 Masireddy Suharika M.Sc. Scholar, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India Vikram Singh Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultulture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India Dhananjay Tiwari Ph.D., Research Scholar, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultulture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India Shruthi Grace George Ph.D., Scholar, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India Corresponding Author: Masireddy Suharika M.Sc. Scholar, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on growth and yield of Rabi baby corn (Zea mays L.) Masireddy Suharika, Vikram Singh, Dhananjay Tiwari and Shruthi Grace George Abstract Field experimentation was conducted during Rabi, 2020 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, Basic in soil reaction (pH 7.4), low in organic carbon (0.49%), available N (219 kg/ha), available P (21.3 kg/ha), available K (235.8 kg/ha). The treatments which are Nitrogen at 80, 100, 120 kg/ha along with it Phosphorus at 40, 50, 60 kg/ha were used. The research was laid out in Randomized Block Design with nine treatments each replicated three times. In the study maximum plant height (173.57 cm), plant dry weight (17.81 g/plant), Cob yield (19.52 t/ha), Green fodder yield (22.08 t/ha), Cost of cultivation (49008.91 Rs./ha), Gross returns (205383.87 Rs./ha), Net returns (156374.96 Rs./ha) and B:C ratio (3.19) was obtained with by application of Nitrogen at 100 kg/ha + Phosphorus at 60 kg/ha. Keywords: Baby corn, nitrogen, phosphorus, growth, yield and economics Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most widely produced and consumed cereal crop next to rice, and wheat is one of the most versatile emerging crop having wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions. Globally, maize is known as “queen of cereals” and “miracle crop” because it has the highest genetic yield potential among the cereals. The crop is cultivated over 139 million ha of area and around 600 million tons of maize is produced. The United States of America (USA) is the largest producer of maize contributing nearly 35% of the total production in the world, where in India maize has grown in 9.22 million hectares area with a production and productivity of 28.72 million tones and 3,115 kg/ha respectively contributing 2.53% share over worlds production (Directorate of Economics and Statistics 2018) [1] and contributes nearly 9% in the national food basket. With the rise in standards of living and advancement in science and technology, there is a change in the traditional usage of maize as vegetable and increase in the consumption of green ears as food especially in cities and towns, for that “Baby corn’’ is a profitable crop that allows diversification of production, aggregation of value and increased income (Pandey et al. 2002) [8] . As the name implies is not genetically dwarf maize but it is the immature ear of normally grown maize harvested within 2-3 days of silking or we can say the shank with unpollinated silk is baby corn. Baby corn is a highly nutritious low caloric vegetable which is rich in fiber content. One Baby corn can be compared with an ‘egg’ in terms of minerals. it is rich in phosphorus content, 86 mg 100 g per corn edible portion in comparison to 21-57 mg 100g per corn phosphorus content in other common vegetables (Kumar et al., 2006) [4] . Farmers can grow four crops in a year, and the production of baby corn generates employment amongst the rural poor’s, from children to the elderly persons. Other sectors of society who are also benefited from the crop are the regional brokers who buy from farmers, canneries, wholesale merchants (for the local market), retail merchants and exporters. It’s by products, such as tassels, young husk silk and green stalk provide good cattle food. It may be consumed as raw or used as ingredient in various preparations viz. chop- suey (Chinese dish), pickles, corn pakoras, etc. fresh baby corn ears are used as decorative and crispy vegetable and salad. Baby corn is free from insect-pests and diseases and its nutritional value is comparable with other several high-priced vegetables (Pandey et al., 2002) [8] .