Investigation of Delay Sowing Date, Plant Density and Harvest Method on Yield and Yield Components of Baby corn (Zea mays L.) var. KSC403 su

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different sowing dates and plant density on quantitative and qualitative yield of baby corn var. KSC403 su (Zea mays L.). The experiment was performed in at the Agricultural Research and Natural Resources of Khorasan Razavi Province, Mashhad, Iran in 2008 growing season. The experiment was carried out in a factorial split plot based on randomized completely block design with four replications. The sowing dates (14th June, 3th July, 24th July) were used as the main factor and combination of plant densities (65000, 85000 and 105000 plant.ha-1) along with the two harvest methods (baby corn ,sweet corn and their combinations) as sub factor. The results showed significant differences among sowing dates for plant height, ear height, stem diameter, ear length, ear diameter, husked and dehusked baby corn yield. The maximum baby corn yield was harvested from 3rd sowing date (8095kg.ha-1). The plant density had significant effects on traits like stem diameter, husked and dehusked ear yield , standard ear percentage and sub- standard ear percentage. Therefore, significant differences between harvest method for plant height, ear height, dehusked and husked baby corn yields were obtained. Finally, the interaction of sowing date and plant density and harvest method was significant only for standard and sub-standard ear percentage. Thus, sowing date of July 24th and with planting density (105000 plants/ha) is recommended for maximum husked baby corn yield.