Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield, quality, nutrient uptake, and soil properties of sweet corn (Zea mays convar) under lateritic soils of Konkan

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers on yield, quality, nutrient uptake, and soil properties of sweet corn during Rabi 2024-25 at the Research and Instruction Farm, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli. The study was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with eight treatments: absolute control (T₁), biofertilizers only (T₂), 100% RDF (T₃), 100% RDF + biofertilizers (T₄), 125% RDF (T₅), 125% RDF + biofertilizers (T₆), RDF through Konkan Annapurna Briquettes (KAB) (T₇), and RDF through KAB + biofertilizers (T₈). Results revealed that application of KAB + biofertilizers (T₈) recorded the highest green cob yield of 26.42 t/ha with total sugar of 14.21%, while 125% RDF + biofertilizers (T₆) recorded the highest dry fodder yield (15.86 t/ha), protein content (12.44%), and total N uptake (708.07 kg/ha). Further, post-harvest soil analysis indicated significantly higher available N (382.59 kg/ha) and P (3.53 kg/ha) with T₈, Thus, integrated use of biofertilizers with inorganic fertilizers, particularly KAB + biofertilizers, proved most effective for sustainable sweet corn production in lateritic soils of Konkan.