BABY CORN CULTIVATION, A BOON FOR FARMERS: PAU

LUDHIANA, APRIL 27:-----



"In view of the growing demand for baby corn in five star hotels, airlines, shipping companies and European countries, there is an enormous export potential for this crop. Adoption of baby corn on wide scale will not only improve net farm incomes of the farmers but will also promote diversification. The baby corn cultivation can prove as a boon for the farmers, especially, in the peri-urban areas," stated the experts of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The Head of the Department, Dr Allah Rang said that the baby corn refers to immature dehusked ears of maize, harvested after two to three days of emergence of silks, but before the development of seeds. These immature soft ears can be consumed as salad and vegetables or may be utilized for preparing pickle, soup or sweets, he added.



The expert Dr Satinderpal Singh Brar highlighted that nutritional quality of baby corn is at par or even superior to most of the seasonal vegetables. Besides protein, vitamins, calcium and iron, it is one of the richest source of phosphorus. Baby corn is preferred over vegetables because it remains free from any residual effect of pesticides, he said. Thailand, Taiwan, Guatemala, South Africa and China are major baby corn producing and exporting countries while USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and European countries are the major baby corn importing countries, he informed.



Dr Brar told the farmers that the baby corn crop can be sown any time from April to August. The PAU has recommended single cross hybrid "Parkash" and a composite variety "Kesari" of baby corn for kharif season. He advised, "The crop should be sown in a well-prepared field in rows 30 cm apart, keeping plant to plant distance of 20 cm. Staggered sowing should be done to maintain the supply as per demand in the market from time to time." Informing that the baby corn crop is of short duration and vacates the field in just 60-70 days, Dr Brar suggested that the crop can be adjusted easily in different crop cycles. For instance, one crop of baby corn may be raised in between wheat and rice or basmati, he said.



Telling about the quality traits of baby corn, Dr Brar stressed, "The ears of the crop should be soft, uniform in color, shape and size and should be straight and light yellow or creamish in colour. Ears of 4 to 11 cm in length and 1.0 to 1.4 cm in diameter are preferred for export purposes and should bear ovules in straight rows over it. They should be free from defects like rotting, over ripening, over dryness, any injury and damage from insects and diseases." He underlined the need for timely harvesting of baby corn as the delayed harvesting deteriorates its quality.


News From: http://www.7StarNews.com