Maize

Baby Corn

Baby Corn - Package Of Practices

  • In maize recently babycorn/has gained popularity as valued vegetable in Delhi, U.P, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, A.P and Meghalaya. Cobs removed within 3 to 5 days after their emergence are called baby corns.
  • These are used in spicy food preparations soups, paulav, Chinese preparations.
  • Baby corn ears can be canned in two per cent brine solution. Pickles and canned baby corn ears have great potential for export in the European and American markets. Recently a fresh market for baby corn ears has developed in Europe.


  • In our country Maize yields are very poor when compared to world average yield, as more than 80% of Maize cultivation is under rainfed conditions.
  • These low yields can be attributed to moisture stress experienced by maize crop at its critical stages of growth viz., flowering and grain formation.
  • This problem can be alleviated by resorting to baby corn cultivation in areas around cities. In the case of baby corn the cobs are harvested with 3 to 5 days after flowering and there are not allowed to fertilize and set seed.
  • No nutrients are utilized for that purpose and hence, they are retained in plant part (stover) which make it nutritious cattle feed.

Important cultivation details

Time of sowing

  • Northern States February-September, Eastern States January-September and Western States throughout the year. As there is no necessity for pollination and seed setting this crop can be sown in any time round the year under irrigation in Telangana and A.P. Staggerd springs are preferred to meet the market needs.

Soils

  • All soils suitable for grain corn cultivation are suitable for this crop also.

Varieties

  • From any variety, cobs can be harvested within 3 to 5 days of their emergency. Varieties that bear more than one cob, with more sugars and nutrients are preferred. Cultivars like Madhuri, Amber popcorn, are better for baby corn also.
  • Special varieties for baby corn purpose are VL-42, HAM-129, Golden Baby (Proagro), early composite (Almond) are suitable for entire country.

Plant density

  • Results of research indicated a requirement of 70% extra population (44,000/acre) than for normal maize is (26,000/acre) for baby corn. Required population can be obtained by adopting a spacing of either 45 X 20 or 60 X 15 cm.
  • Two seeds are sown at each hill and thinned to single plant gives the required population.

Fertilizers

  • Even if the population is more adopt only fertilizer sehedule as recommended for grain crop. There is no need of additional fertilizers.
  • Other cultivation practices are as in case of grain maize crop.

Detasseling

  • Baby corn is an unfertilized small cob. So to avoid pollination removal of male inflorescence soon after its emergence is a very important and crucial operation.
  • The crop should be under close observation for removal of male inflorescence (tassel) as soon as it emerges. It should be removed in such a way that it should not cause any damage to plant.
  • The male inflorescence can be fed to cattle, as it is more in nutrient status.

Harvesting of cobs

  • Small cobs are to be harvested at 3 to 5 days after their emergence without damaging the plant. In special varieties meant for baby corn like VL-42, HAM-129, Golden baby and early composite first cob will be ready for harvest at about 47 to 50 days after sowing.
  • After 8 or 10 days of first harvest, second and third cobs will be ready for harvesting. The cobs are 8 to 10 cm long with golden yellow colour.

Yield

  • Cobs : 4-8 q/acre
  • Quality stover: 15-20 q/acre.

Important cultivation details

  • Good ear quality is the principal factor determining the marketability of baby corn. Ear quality and appearance are more important than yield in choosing a corn variety for baby corn production. Each variety should be evaluated to determine if it produces a high quality baby corn ear.
  • Most corn varieties produced ears of baby corn which met the market criteria for ear length and width, 5-10 cm and 10-20 mm, respectively. However it seems unlikely that ears which are slightly wider (0.01 inches more) would be rejected.

  • It is necessary to harvest the corn crop very2-3 days. If ears are not harvested for 4 days, they can grow too big to be marketed as baby corn.
  • A planting can be harvested many times. Most varieties produce marketable ears for 3-4 weeks, and if they are harvested every 2-3 days during this period, they amount to 9-12 harvests.
  • By knowing harvest dates and how long a variety can be harvested, farmers can choose varieties to extend the harvest season.
  • This is important because buyers want fresh baby corn throughout the growing season, not just once or twice.
  • On average, the weight of the edible ear was 13% the weight of the ear with the husk.
  • Just as with sweet corn, we recommend marketing baby corn in the husk to maintain ear freshness. The small ears are very tender and risk in damage, discoloration, and dethydration if the husks are removed prior to use.
  • Harvest in the morning when temperatures are cooler and place unhusked ears in refrigerated storage.

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Telangana