This document summarizes a study on improving the productivity and nutrition of baby corn through evaluating the effects of intra-row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer rates. The study found that narrower intra-row spacing of 15cm and a higher nitrogen rate of 200kg/ha led to taller plants, thicker stems, higher leaf area index, ear weight and length, and highest baby corn and stover yields. This treatment combination is proposed for baby corn production in the study area and similar agro-ecologies. Further evaluation of additional varieties and nitrogen rates above 200kg/ha is recommended for future work.

1. The Horticulture Journal
Safeguarding livelihoods of small holder farmers through improving Productivity and
nutrition of Baby corn
--Manuscript Draft--
Full Title: Safeguarding livelihoods of small holder farmers through improving Productivity and
nutrition of Baby corn
First Author: Tesfahun Belay Mihrete, M.Sc.
Order of Authors: Tesfahun Belay Mihrete, M.Sc.
Tesfahun Belay
Melkamu Alemayehu
Fasikaw Belay
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2. Safeguarding livelihoods of small holder farmers through improving
Productivity and nutrition of Baby corn
Tesfahun Belay *1
, Melkamu Alemayehu1
and Fasikaw Belay 1
1
Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and environmental sciences, Bahir Dar
University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
*Corresponding author’s e-mail: tesfahunbelay2010@gmail.com
Abstract
Baby corn production is relatively a new venture in Ethiopia, which may help to improve the
economic status of poor farmers and help boost the agriculture sector in Ethiopia. To make
use of the potential of this new crop in ensuring food security, evaluating the responses of the
crop to different agronomic practices’ including intra row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer is
quite necessary. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intra
row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer rate on growth and yield of Baby corn in North Mecha
district, Amhara region. The study was conducted during 2020/2021 irrigation season where
baby corn variety SG-17 was used as test crop. The experiment consisted of factorial
combination of five nitrogen levels (0, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha-1
N) and three intra row
spacing (15, 25 and 35 cm). The results of the study had shown that intra row spacing and
nitrogen fertilizer influenced most of the tested parameters. Treatment combination of 200 kg
ha-1
nitrogen and 15 cm intra row spacing recorded tallest plants, thickest stems, highest leaf
area index, ear weight and length and highest baby corn and stover yields which could be
proposed for the production of baby corn in the study area and areas with similar agro-
ecologies. Evaluation of different varieties with the application of more than 200 kg ha-1
could
be a future line of work.
Key words: Plant density, Corn, Intra specific competition, Stover yield
1. INTRODUCTION
Vegetable crops commonly produced in Ethiopia in general and Amhara region in particular
are tomato, potato, hot pepper, onion, shallot, garlic and cabbage (Asfaw Zeleke and Eshetu
Dereso, 2015). Recently however, vegetable crops like cauliflower, broccoli and Baby corn
have been given due attention by vegetable growing farmers, especially commercial
producers. Maize (Zea mays L.) has been cultivated for centuries as a grain crop. More
recently, sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) and Baby corn (Zea mays L.) are also grown
by commercial vegetable producers (Ugur and Maden, 2015).
Baby corn is grown almost throughout the world for its young, fresh, finger like green ears. It
is harvested at the time of silk emergence (Ramachandrappa et al., 2004). Baby corn is eaten
raw and used in a number of ways as soup, salads, pasta, dry vegetable, curry, pickles, snacks,
candy, jam, intercontinental dishes and for canning (Asaduzzaman et al., 2014; Rani et al.,
2017). The crop has low calorie and carbohydrate, high fiber content and no fat. It is good
source of vitamins and minerals. The crop generally has nutritive value similar to that of non-
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3. legume vegetable such as cauliflower, tomato, cucumber and cabbage. Moreover, the crop has
low glycemic index than regular corn hence, good for controlling blood sugar level (Rani et
al., 2017). By-products of baby corn such as tassel, silk, young husk, and green stalk are also
ideal for cattle feed which is associated with its succulence, palatability and digestibility. Its
green fodder is especially suited for dairy cattle as it has lactogenic properties (UNDP, 2001;
Rathika et al., 2009 and FAO, 2017).
Young cob corn has been used by Chinese as vegetable for generations where it has been
spread to other Asian and African countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The production of baby corn and its market demand is
in increasing trend worldwide (Shahi and Gayatonde, 2017, Sud and Kumar, 2017, 2019).
Farmers are striving to reduce the risk of maize production by producing maize in the form of
green corn or Baby corn that have generally short growth cycle compared to grain maize
(Singh, 2019). Due to wide range of climatic adaptation, the potential of baby corn production
in different parts of the world is very high where countries like Thailand and Taiwan are
successfully producing the crop (Lone et al., 2013; Roy et al., 2015). Baby corn as vegetable
is a profitable crop, which improves the economic status and incomes of farmers (Das et al.,
2008). The crop also allows diversification of production and aggregation of value (Pandey et
al., 2002; Ghosh et al., 2017). Production technologies of Baby corn however differ from
maize. Thus, development and standardization of location specific agronomic practices are
required before popularization among farmers (Singh et al., 2019).
Baby corn as vegetable is newly introduced in Ethiopia. The crop is being produced by
commercial companies and small holder farmers in the study area using inter and intra row
spacing of 80 and 25 cm, respectively and 120 kg ha-1
nitrogen as recommended by Syngenta
(2005) without considering the environmental and edaphic conditions. On the other hand a
trial conducted elsewhere by Syngenta (2005) revealed that the crop can tolerate high density
plantation (125,000 plant ha-1
) at 10 cm intra row spacing. Because of the fact that the crop is
new in Ethiopia, no researches have been conducted towards nitrogen requirement of the crop.
Due to its diverse distribution pattern, current production, and demand, especially in
developing nations where poverty, hunger, and malnutrition persist, increasing baby corn
production and productivity can help to match the four dimensions of food security, i.e., food
availability, food access, food use and quality, and food stability. Determining the optimum
plant population and nutrition can help secure food for baby corn farmers and prevent
environmental issues brought on by fertilizer waste. Therefore, the current study was carried
out to enhance baby corn production and productivity through optimal N fertilizer use and
plant population, ultimately improving the lives of smallholder farmers.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Description of the Study Area
The experiment was conducted at Koga Irrigation Scheme during 2020/2021 irrigation
season. The area is located between 11o
23'62''N latitude and 37o
07'87''E longitude in North
Mecha District of Amhara region, Ethiopia. The mean annual rainfall recorded at the station
of Merawi, the main town of North Mecha District, is 1480 mm. Altitude of the scheme is

4. about 1850 meter above sea level with the mean monthly temperature of 25.8°C and its slope
ranges from nearly flat to 5%. According to West Amhara Meteorological Service Agency
(unpublished), the area is characterized as tepid moist mild agro ecology. The soil is
categorized as clay in its textural classification, with a pH value of 5.32 (Amhara design and
supervision works (unpublished). Major crops grown in the study area are Wheat, Barely,
Maize, Bean, Cabbage, Potato, Tomato, Onion, Shallot and Pepper (Melkamu Alemayehu et
al., 2015).
2.2 Experimental Treatments and Design
The experimental treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three levels of intra row
spacing (15 cm, 25 cm and 35 cm) and five levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0 kg ha-1
, 80 kg ha-1
,
120 kg ha-1
, 160 kg ha-1
& 200 kg ha-1
) making a total of fifteen treatments. The experiment
was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The
gross size of each plot was 9.6 m2
(3 m × 3.2 m) and accommodated eight double rows with
20, 12 and 8 plants per row for the intra row spacing of 15, 25 and 35 cm, respectively. The
net plot area of each treatment was 4.32 m2
(2.7 m × 1.6 m), 4 m2
(2.5 m × 1.6 m) and 3.68 m2
(2.3 m × 1.6 m) for 15, 25 and 35 cm intra row spacing, respectively. The recommended inter
row spacing of 80 cm was maintained for all plots. The blocks were separated with a 1.5 m
open space while the plots within a block were separated by a 1 m open space as walking
distance for field management. The outer single rows at both sides of the plot and one plant at
both ends of the rows were considered as border plants.
2.3 Data Collection
2.3.1 Phenological parameters
Days to 50% tasseling (Days): The number of days elapsed from the date of sowing to the
date when 50% of the plants in the plot shed pollen from the main branch of the tassel were
counted through visual observation and ussed for analysis (Sharifi and Namvar, 2016;
Mohammed, 2019).
Days to 50% silking (Days): The number of days elapsed were counted from the date of
sowing up to the date when 50% of the plants in the plot produced and extruded silk through
visual observation (Sharifi and Namvar, 2016; Begizew Golla and Desalegn Chalchisa, 2019;
Mohammed, 2019).
Days to first harvest (Days): The number of days elapsed from sowing up to three days after
silking of plants were counted and recorded as days to harvest as indicated by Wang and Gray
(2010).

5. 2.3.2 Growth parameters
Plant height (cm): Plant heights of ten randomly taken plants grown in the net plot area were
measured at first harvest from the ground level to the top most growth point excluding the
tassel using meter scale (Duarte et al., 2007).
Leaf area index: The leaf area at the stage of tasseling was determined from ten randomly
taken plants grown in the net plot using the formula indicated below as suggested by Francis
et al. (1969) and Daughtry (1990). Similarly, the leaf area index was calculated after Radford
(1967).
Leaf area = Leaf length x leaf width x 0.75
Where, width was measured at the middle of the leaf and 0.75 is correction factor
𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥= 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡�Leaf area index = Total leaf area of a
plant� Area covered by a plant
𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥= 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎�Stem diameter (cm): Stem diameters of ten randomly
taken plants grown in net plot area were measured at 10 cm above the ground surface using
vernier caliper at first harvest as indicated by Demetrius et al. (2008) and Sabiel et al. (2014).
2.3.3 Yield and yield components
Ear length (cm): the lengths of ten randomly taken dehusked ears harvested from the net plot
area at each harvest were measured from the base of the dehusked ear to the ear tip using
vernier caliper and the mean were worked out and used for analysis (Golada et al., 2013).
Ear weight (g): The weights of ten randomly taken ears harvested from the net plot area at
each harvest were measured using electric balance and the mean values were computed and
used for analysis (Subaedah et al., 2021).
Baby corn yield (t ha-1): dehusked ears with no visible damages and greater than 5 cm in
length were considered as acceptable corn yield (Duarte et al., 2007). Such ears harvested
from the net plot area at each harvest were weighed and summed and expressed as ton per
hectare.
Stover yield (t ha-1): Immediately after harvest of ears, the above ground parts of baby corn
(stalks and leaves) were harvested from the net plot area and weighed using sensitive balance
and expressed as ton ha-1
as indicated by Karlen et al. (2012) and Neelam & Dutta (2018).

6. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Intra Row Spacing on Phenology of Baby corn
3.1.1 Days to 50% tasseling
The analysis of variance revealed that the main effects of nitrogen fertilizer rate and intra row
spacing highly significantly (P < 0.01) influenced days to 50% tasseling. However, the
interaction effect of these factors did not significantly (P > 0.05) influence days to tasseling of
Baby corn. The highest days to 50% tasseling (76.4 days) was recorded from Baby corn plants
supplied with 200 kg ha-1
N while the lowest was recorded from plants grown without
nitrogen (Table 1). Generally, increasing the rate of nitrogen prolonged the days to 50%
tasseling of Baby corn. Similarly, widening the intra row spacing increased days to tasseling
where the highest days to 50% tasseling (74.4 days) was recorded from plants grown at 35 cm
intra row spacing while the lowest was recorded from plants spaced at 15 cm (73.7 days).
The increase in days to 50% tasseling with increase in rate of nitrogen could be attributed to
excess nitrogen that improves vegetative growth and prolong the development of reproductive
structures. These results are supported by the findings of Imran et al. (2015) who reported
delayed tasseling of hybrid maize with the application of nitrogen fertilizer. In contrary to the
present study, Adhikari et al. (2021) however reported non-significant effect of nitrogen
fertilizer on days to 50% tasseling of Baby corn.
Earliness in days to 50% tasseling with reduced intra row spacing observed in the present
study could be associated with the fact that higher plant densities under narrow intra row
spacing induce competition among crop plants for different growth resources such as light,
nutrient, water and air. This intra-specific competition might have hastened the pace of
phenological development which ultimately caused early emergence of tassel. The results of
the present study are in conformity with the findings of Acharya et al. (2021) who reported
the earliness in days needed to achieve 50% tasseling with reduced intra row spacing.
3.1.2 Days to 50% silking
The main effects of nitrogen fertilizer rate and intra row spacing highly significantly (P <
0.01) influenced days to 50% silking of baby corn. However, the interaction effect of these
factors did not significantly (P > 0.05) influence days to 50% silking of Baby corn. The
highest days to 50% silking (87 days) was recorded from Baby corn plants grown with 200 kg
ha-1
N while the lowest recorded from plants grown without nitrogen (Table 1). Generally,
increasing the rate of nitrogen prolonged the days to 50% silking of Baby corn. On the other
hand, as indicated in Table 1, the highest days to 50% silking (84.6 days) was recorded from
plants grown at 35 cm intra row spacing while the lowest was recorded from plants spaced at
15 cm (83.4 days).

7. The increase in days to 50% silking with increased rate of nitrogen could be attributed to
prolonged vegetative growth phase, as there is excess nitrogen in the soil, which led to
prolonged day to silking. These results are consistent with the findings of Akbar et al. (2002)
who reported the delay in silking linearly with increased rate of nitrogen. In contrary to the
present study, Asaduzzaman et al. (2014) and Khan et al. (2014) however reported non-
significant effect of nitrogen fertilizer on days to 50% silking of Baby corn.
The prolonged days to 50% silking with increased intra row spacing could be associated with
less intra-specific competition among baby corn plants for different growth resources such as
light, nutrient, water and air under narrow intra row spacing which could have led to enhanced
vegetative growth and prolonged development of phenological traits including silking. The
results of the present study are in conformity with the findings of Singh et al. (2015) who
reported the earliness of days to 50% silking with reduced intra row spacing.
3.1.3 Days to first harvest
Rate of nitrogen fertilizer and intra row spacing highly significantly (P < 0.01) influenced
days to first harvest while the interaction effect did not influence (P > 0.05) days to first
harvest of Baby corn. The highest days to first harvest (89 days) was recorded from Baby corn
plants grown with 200 kg ha-1
N while the lowest recorded from plants grown without
nitrogen (Table 1). Generally, increasing the rate of nitrogen prolonged the days to first harvest
of Baby corn. Similarly, widening the intra row spacing prolonged days to first harvest of
baby corn while narrowing the intra row spacing has resulted in early harvesting of the crop.
The increase in days to first harvest with increased rate of nitrogen could be attributed to
extension of vegetative growth period as more nitrogen is available in the soil system. These
results are supported by the findings of Akbar et al. (2002) who reported the delay of days to
first harvest with the application of nitrogen fertilizer.
The earliness in days to first harvest with reduced intra row spacing could be associated with
competition among Baby corn plants at closer intra row spacing for different resources (light,
moisture and nutrients) that might have hastened the rate of phenological development that
ultimately reduced maturity period. The results of the present study are in conformity with the
findings of Begizew and Desalegn (2019) who reported earliness in days to first harvest with
reduced intra row spacing.

8. Table 1. Phenological responses of baby corn for nitrogen fertilizer rate and intra row spacing
at Koga Irrigation Scheme during 2020/2021 irrigation growing season
Where, ** = highly significant (P < 0.01); CV = Coefficient of variance; SE = Standard Error;
LSD = least significant difference; means with in the same columns followed by the same
letter (s) are not significantly different
3.2 Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Intra Row Spacing on Growth of Baby corn
3.2.1 Plant height
Nitrogen fertilizer rate and intra row spacing in the main (P < 0.01) and interaction (P < 0.05)
effects influenced plant heights of Baby corn. The tallest plants (165 cm) were observed by
the treatment combination of 15 cm intra row spacing and 200 kg ha-1
N. These plants have
had statistically similar plant heights with those sown at 25 and 35 cm intra row spacing and
supplied with 200 kg ha-1
N. The shortest plant height (120.2 cm) was recorded from plants
grown without N application at 35 cm intra row spacing (Table 2).
The increase in plant height at narrow intra row spacing supplied with higher rate of nitrogen
fertilizer could be attributed to availability of sufficient nitrogen to compensate intra-specific
competition in narrow intra row spacing. These results were supported by the findings of
Dangariya et al. (2017), Majid et al. (2017), Neelam and Dutta (2018), Fattah et al. (2019)
who reported the significant interaction effect of highest nitrogen fertilizer and reduced intra
row spacing. In contrary to the present study, Sarker et al. (2020) however reported higher
plant height at narrow intra row spacing without nitrogen fertilizer application.
N fertilizer rates
(kg/ha)
Days to 50% tasseling
(Days)
Days to 50% silking
(Days)
Days to first harvest
(Days)
0 72a 79.7e 81.7e
80 73b 82.5d 84.5d
120 74c 84.5c 86.5c
160 75d 86.2b 88.2b
200 76.4e 87a 89a
P-value ** ** **
LSD (0.05) 0.41 0.49 0.49
CV (%) 2.2 3.2 3.1
SE+ 0.24 0.4 0.4
Intra row spacing (cm)
15 73.7a 83.4c 85.4c
25 74b 84b 86b
35 74.4c 84.6a 86.6a
P-value ** ** **
LSD (0.05) 0.32 0.38 0.38
CV (%) 2.2 3.2 3.1
SE+ 0.24 0.4 0.4

9. Table 2. Interaction effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate and intra row spacing on plant height of
Baby corn grown at Koga Irrigation Scheme during 2020/2021 irrigation growing season
N fertilizer rates (kg/ha) Intra row spacing (cm) Plant height (cm)
0
15 125.9hi
25 124.8hi
35 120.2i
80
15 144.2fg
25 138.8g
35 127.4h
120
15 150.4de
25 149.1cd
35 147.3ef
160
15 157.8bc
25 154.1cd
35 153.2cde
200
15 165a
25 163.7ab
35 161.9ab
P-value *
LSD (0.05) 5.9
CV (%) 10.5
SE+ 2.4
Where, * = significant (P < 0.05); CV = Coefficient of variance; SE = Standard Error;
LSD=least significant difference; means followed with the same letter(s) in columns are not
significantly different
3.2.2 Stem diameter
The analysis of variance revealed that the main effect of nitrogen fertilizer highly significantly
(P < 0.01) and intra row spacing significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the stem diameter of Baby
corn plants. However, the interaction effect of nitrogen fertilizer and intra row spacing were
found to be non-significant (P > 0.05) on stem diameter of Baby corn plants. The thickest
stem diameter (3.0 cm) was recorded from Baby corn plants fertilized with the highest rate of
nitrogen (200 kg ha-1
). While, the thinnest stem diameter (2.1 cm) was recorded on plants
without nitrogen application (Table 3). Generally, stem diameter gets thicker as more nitrogen

10. was applied to Baby corn plants. On the other hand, the thickest stem diameter (2.6 cm) was
recorded from Baby corn plants sown at 35 cm intra row spacing and the thinnest stem
diameter (2.4 cm) was recorded from Baby corn plants sown at 15 cm intra row spacing.
These plants have had statistically similar stem diameter with those sown at 25 cm intra row
spacing (Table 3). Generally, widely spaced Baby corns had thicker stem diameter than
closely spaced Baby corns. The increase in stem diameter with the increased nitrogen rate
might be due to the increasing of cell size and growth due to nitrogen application, as it is a
general truth that nitrogen enhances plant growth. Similar results were also reported by Majid
et al. (2017) who reported positive response of stem diameter of Baby corn to nitrogen
application.
The increase in stem diameter with widely sown Baby corn plants could be obviously
attributed to lesser intra specific competition for available resources such as solar radiation,
nutrients, water, air and space as compared to closely spaced Baby corn. Even though
reducing intra row spacing led to thinner plants, which were also characterized by a taller
plant height, none of the compared treatments displayed a lodging tendency throughout the
growing period. This linear relation between stem diameter and intra row spacing were
observed by Fakir and Islam (2008) who reported that stem diameter was progressively
increased with increasing intra row spacing. In contrary to the present study, Mathukia et al.
(2014) and Dangariya et al. (2017) however reported that stem diameter failed to show
perceptible variation under the influence of plant spacing.
3.2.3 Leaf area index
The analysis of variance revealed that the main effect of nitrogen fertilizer highly significantly
(P < 0.01) and intra row spacing significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the Leaf area index of
Baby corn plants. However, nitrogen fertilizer and intra row spacing did not interact to
influence (P > 0.05) the leaf area index of baby corn. Baby corn plants supplied with 200 kg
ha-1
nitrogen recorded the highest leaf area index (4.7) while those without fertilizer recorded
the lowest leaf area index (2.3) (Table 3). Generally, Leaf area index gets higher as more
nitrogen was applied to Baby corn plants. On the other hand, the highest leaf area index (3.9)
was recorded from Baby corn plants sown at 15 cm intra row spacing and the lowest leaf area
index (3.0) was recorded from Baby corn plants sown at 35 cm intra row spacing (Table 3).
Generally, closely spaced Baby corns had higher leaf area index than widely spaced Baby
corns.
The increase in leaf area index with increased nitrogen rate might be due to higher
photosynthate production leading to leaf area expansion which in turn increases the leaf area
index of the crop. Similar results were also reported by Mathukia et al. (2014), Bindhani et
al. (2007) and Asaduzzaman et al. (2014). The significant increment in leaf area index with
reduced intra row spacing could be attributed to occupation of more unit area by green canopy
of the plants as the plants are closely spaced. These results are also in conformity with the
results of Abo-Shetaia et al. (2002) and Abuzar et al. (2011) who reported the linear increase
of leaf area with increased plant population. In contrary to the present study, Imran et al.
(2015) however reported the inverse relationship between intra row spacing and leaf area
index

11. Table 3. Responses of baby corn to nitrogen fertilizer rate and intra row spacing on leaf area
index at Koga Irrigation Scheme during 2020/2021 irrigation growing season
N fertilizer rate (kg/ha) Stem diameter (cm) Leaf area index
0 2.1d 2.3c
80 2.3c 3bc
120 2.4c 3.4b
160 2.6b 3.6b
200 3.0a 4.7a
P-value ** **
LSD (0.05) 0.17 0.94
CV (%) 7.1 28.4
SE+ 0.05 0.19
Intra row spacing (cm)
15 2.42b 3.9a
25 2.48ab 3.3ab
35 2.6a 3.0b
P-value * *
LSD (0.05) 0.13 0.73
CV (%) 7.1 28.4
SE+ 0.05 0.19
Where, ** = highly significant (P < 0.01); *= significant (P<0.05); CV = coefficient of
variance; SE = Standard Error; LSD=least significant difference; means followed with the
same letter(s) within the same column are not significantly different
3.3 Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Intra Row Spacing on Yield and Yield Related
Traits of Baby corn
3.3.1 Ear length
Nitrogen fertilizer rates and intra row spacing highly significantly (P < 0.01) influenced ear
length of Baby corn plants while their interaction effect influenced significantly (P < 0.05).
Baby corn plants fertilized with highest nitrogen rate (200 kg ha-1
) and sown at 25 cm intra
row spacing recorded the longest ears (19 cm). On the other hand, the shortest ear length (10
cm) was obtained from plants sown at narrowest intra row spacing (15 cm) and grown without
nitrogen fertilizer (Table 4).
The increase in ear length in response to higher nitrogen rates might be due to better
availability of nutrients in the soil system so that the baby corn plants expressed fully its yield
potential and produce longest ear under high rate of nitrogen. These results are in agreement
with the findings of various scholars who reported the positive response of ear length to
nitrogen fertilization (Sharifi and Taghizadeh, 2009, Asaduzzaman et al., 2014, Mathukia et
al., 2014, Sharifi and Namvar, 2016, Begizew Golla et al., 2020). Moreover, application of
nitrogen fertilizer to moderate plant populations, as indicated in the present study, could have
enabled Baby corns to utilize the available nitrogen in the soil system with less competition

12. leading to proliferation of Baby corn ear length. The results of the present study are in
consonance with the findings of Ramachandrappa et al. (2004), Kar et al. (2006) and Azam et
al. (2007) who reported higher ear dimensions (ear length and girth) with the combination of
higher nitrogen fertilizer dose and moderate plant density. However, the present results are
not in conformity with the findings of Sharifai et al. (2012) who reported insignificant
interactive effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates and intra row spacing on ear length of Baby corn.
3.3.2 Ear weight
Ear weight of baby corn was highly significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by nitrogen fertilizer
rates and intra row spacing while significantly (P < 0.05) by their interaction. The heaviest ear
(67.4 g) was recorded from Baby corn plants supplied with 200 kg ha-1
N and sown at 25 cm
intra row spacing. On the other hand, the lightest ear (39.1 g) was obtained from baby corn
plants grown without fertilizer and sown at 15 cm intra row spacing (Table 4). Generally ear
weight was increased up to 25 cm intra row spacing along all nitrogen rates. Sowing Baby
corns with 25 cm intra row spacing was previously recommended by Golada et al. (2013).
A faster growth under the influence of higher level of nitrogen rate and moderate plant density
might have played a significant role in utilizing the available resources including nitrogen
with reduced intraspecific competition and resulting in higher photosynthate production and
healthy plants. The increased availability of photosynthetic products might have enhanced
number of flowers and their fertilization that in turn obviously increase the yield attributing
traits including ear weight. Furthermore, greater assimilating surface at reproductive
developments results in better cob formation because of adequate production of metabolites
and their translocation towards ear resulting in heavier ears. The results of present
investigation indicating positive response of various yield attributes of baby corn to higher
nitrogen fertilization and moderate plant density, which is corroborated the findings of several
researchers (Chillar and Kumar, 2006; Bindhani et al., 2007; Gosavi and Bhagat, 2009;
Mathukia et al., 2014; Turk and Alagoz, 2018).
3.3.3 Baby corn yield
The analysis of variance revealed that both main effect and interaction effect of nitrogen
fertilizer and intra row spacing highly significantly (P < 0.01) influenced marketable yield of
Baby corn plants. The highest marketable yield (8.3 t ha-1
) was recorded from Baby corn
plants sown at closest spacing (15 cm) and fertilized with the highest nitrogen rate (200 kg ha-
1
). The lowest marketable yield (4.1 t ha-1
) was recorded from Baby corn plants sown at
widest intra row spacing (35 cm) and grown without N application (Table 4).
Higher marketable yield with increased nitrogen rate and closer spacing might be attributed to
more plant per unit area and availability of enough nitrogen in the soil system that was
necessary for the development of yield attributes that in turn lead to higher marketable yield.
Similar results were also reported by other scholars where different rates of nitrogen and intra
row spacing had a significant effect on marketable yield of Baby corn (Szymanek and
Piasecki, 2013; Turk and Alagoz, 2018; Sarker et al., 2020).

13. The marketable yield obtained in the present study was relatively higher compared to the
yield obtained by other researches (Kumar et al., 2018; Sharma et al., 2019 and Sarker et al.,
2020), which indicates the potential of the study area for the production of the crop.
3.3.4 Stover yield
Stover yield of baby corn was highly significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by the main effects of
nitrogen fertilizer and intra row spacing while significantly (P < 0.05) by their interaction
effect. Baby corn plants sown at closest spacing (15 cm) and fertilized with the highest
nitrogen rate (200 kg ha-1
) recorded the highest stover yield (21.5 t ha-1
). On the other hand,
the lowest stover yield (6 t ha-1
) was recorded from Baby corn plants sown at widest spacing
(35 cm) and grown without nitrogen application (Table 4).
The highest stover yield in densely populated plants and supplied with higher nitrogen rate is
obviously associated with more plants per unit area and relatively less competition for
nitrogen that leads to better growth of the plant as expressed in terms of plant height, number
of leaves plant-1
and leaf area index. This might have helped to harvest higher stover yield.
Similar results were also reported by various researchers who observed positive influence of
high density planting and applying higher nitrogen rate on stover yield of baby corn (Thakur
et al., 2000; Ramachandrappa et al., 2004; Meena et al., 2007; Siam et al., 2008, Singh and
Choudhary, 2008; Nahar, 2017).

14. Table 4. Yield response of baby corn to nitrogen fertilizer rate and intra row spacing at Koga
Irrigation Scheme during the 2020/2021 irrigation growing season
Where, ** = highly significant (P < 0.01); * = significant (P < 0.05); CV = coefficient of
variance; SE = Standard Error; LSD = least significant difference; means followed by the
same letter(s) in columns are not significantly different.
N fertilizer
rates (kg/ha)
Intra row
spacing (cm)
Ear weight
(g)
Ear length
(cm)
Baby corn
yield (t ha-1
)
Stover yield
(t ha-1
)
0
15 39.1n 10f 5.8gh 9.1ij
25 46ml 13.3de 5.7h 8j
35 44.5m 13e 4.1i 6k
80
15 47.9kl 13.4cde 6.1efgh 11.2fgh
25 50.6ij 13.6cde 6fgh 10.6ghi
35 49.3jk 13.5cde 5.9fgh 10.3hi
120
15 51.7hi 14bcde 6.5def 12.3ef
25 54fg 14.4bcde 6.4efg 12efg
35 53gh 14.2bcde 6.4efg 11.7efgh
160
15 55.3ef 14.7bcde 7.2bc 15d
25 58d 15.1bc 7bcd 13.2e
35 56.8de 14.9bcd 6.7cde 12.7ef
200
15 61.2c 15.5b 8.3a 21.5a
25 67.4a 19a 7.5b 19.1b
35 64b 15.6b 7.3bc 17c
P-value * * ** *
LSD (0.05) 2.1 1.7 0.62 1.5
CV (%) 14 14.1 7.5 7.5
SE+ 1.1 0.3 0.14 0.61

15. 4. CONCLUSIONS
Nitrogen fertilizer and intra row spacing influenced almost all phenological (days to 50%
tasseling, 50% silking, and first harvest), growth (stem diameter and leaf area index) and yield
and yield related traits (length and weight of ears, baby corn and stover yields) of Baby corn
grown at Koga Irrigation Scheme, North Mecha district of Amhara Region. Application of 200
kg ha-1
N delayed 50% tasseling, silking and first harvest. On the other hand, sowing baby corn
at 15 cm intra row hastened tasseling, silking and first harvest in baby corn. Application of 200
kg ha-1
N to baby corn plants grown at 15 cm intra row spacing recorded the tallest plants and
highest baby corn and stover yields, which could be proposed for the production of baby corn in
the study area and areas with similar agro-ecology. Performance evaluation of different baby
corn varieties with the inclusion of higher rates of nitrogen fertilizer could be future line of work.
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