Fodder Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) as Influenced by Mulching, Liming and Integrated Nutrition Management under Foot Hill Condition of Nagaland

Baby corn (Zea mays L.) being one of the most important dual purpose crop is grown widely round the year for its cob as well as green fodder in India. It has an edge over the other cultivated fodder crops due to its higher production potential, wider adaptability, fast growing nature and excellent fodder quality free from toxicants. Baby corn production has been directly integrated with dairying farms in different countries because only 13-20% of fresh ear weight is used as human food and the rest (silk, husk and green stalk) can be used as excellent feed materials for milch ruminants to improve their productivity. By adopting the good agro-techniques, it is possible to produce 40-45 t/ha of fresh green fodder, which could raise a net income of Rs. 40-45×103 /ha as such it may prove to be a boon for small and marginal farmers for improving their socio-economic conditions. Hence, the mulching, liming and balanced nutrient management is the key input to ensure the higher productivity in terms of baby corn and fodder under the foot hill condition of Nagaland.