Prasit Chutichudet and Chongmas Antarasena

pp. 381 - 390

Abstract

Suitable rates of compost and chemical fertilizers to improve baby corn yield have been
reported ; information on an appropriate type of green manure to increase its yield is rather limited.
Use of green manure showed from a farmer with a practicable method in actual fields, which is not
expensive and can be adjusted to the physical and chemical characteristics of soil. Therefore , the major
objective of this experiment was to find a way to improve the yield of baby corn through the use of
five types of green manure treatments and control, comprising no green manure (control), mung bean
(Vigna radiata L.), hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L.), sword bean (Canavaria ensiformis L.), copwea
(Vigna unguiculata L.) and sesbania (Sesbania rostrata Brem.). The treatments were arranged in a
randomized complete block design with four replications on June 2000, tested at the experimental field
of Agricultural Technology Department, Technology Faculty, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province. The results indicated that sesbania used as green manure resulted in
a fresh weight content higher than the others, and promoted plant height, plant diameter, leaf area, ear
number / plant, yield both before and after peeling / rai, ear weight both before and after peeling / ear,
ear diameter after peeling and standard yield content / rai consequently. In addition, the ear color after
peeling was satisfactory for consumers. Yield contents / rai grown on the other sources of green manures
were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01)