Yield performance and economic evaluation of sweet corn (Zea mays L. Saccharata) cultivars under different sowing dates

A field experiment was conducted to study the “Yield Performance and Economic Evaluation of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. Saccharata) Cultivars under Different Sowing Dates” at the farm of the National Agriculture Research Project, Chh. Sambhajinagar during the kharif season of 2024. The site had medium black, deep clayey soil with high moisture retention and received 598.93 mm of monsoon rainfall, providing favourable conditions for sweet corn. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four sowing dates (1st June, 15th June, 1st July and 15th July) and three cultivars (Phule Madhu, Sugar 75 and Mithas) replicated thrice, with a gross plot size of 4.5 m × 4 m. Results revealed that early sowing on 1st June recorded the highest fresh cob yield (20.78 t ha⁻¹), which translated into the maximum gross monetary return (₹ 2,44,909 ha⁻¹), net monetary return (₹ 1,55,564 ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (2.95). Among cultivars, Phule Madhu produced the highest fresh cob yield (17.06 t ha⁻¹) with an average net return of ₹ 1,00,010 ha⁻¹. Delayed sowing beyond mid-June led to significant reductions in yield and profitability. Thus, sowing on 1st June with cultivar Phule Madhu emerged as the most productive and economically viable option under the agro-climatic conditions of Chh. Sambhajinagar.