Silicon in Combination with Farmyard Manure Improves the Productivity, Quality and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Sweet Corn in an Organic Farming System

Abstract

Purpose: Sweet corn under organic farming is becoming popular in the tropical region of India owing to having its higher economic values. However, suitable nutrient management under organic farming systems for this crop is yet to get explored. In this context, a field study was conducted during 2019 and 2020 to investigate the influence of nitrogen application through farmyard manure (FYM) and silicon application on growth, yield, quality and nutrients uptake of sweet corn under organic farming. Methods: Four levels of the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) applied through farmyard manure (FYM), i.e. control, 100, 75 and 50% of RDN through FYM, were taken in main-plot, and four levels of silicon (Si), i.e. control, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha− 1 of silicon were taken in sub-plot to get the experimental data analysed in a split-plot design with three replications. Results: Significantly higher growth and yield attributing characters, yield, nutrient uptake and quality parameters of sweet corn were obtained with the application of 100% RDN through FYM followed by application of 75% RDN through FYM. The application of silicon at 200 kg ha− 1 also showed the best results. Concerning nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) though FYM observed that 50% RDN through FYM + application of Si at 200 kg ha− 1 resulted in the best NUE, which is followed by 100% RDN through FYM and Si application at 200 kg ha− 1. Conclusions: Therefore, the recommendation of applying 100% RDN through FYM with the integration of silicon at 200 kg ha− 1 can ensure higher growth, yield, and quality of sweet corn grown under the organic farming system.