Modified micrometeorological influence on growth and yield of baby corn and performance analysis using AquaCrop model

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of sowing dates, spacing, and mulching on baby corn ( Zea mays L.) production and assessed the predictive performance of the AquaCrop model using field trials conducted during winter and kharif 2022 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Early sowing (January 21 and June 15) combined with closer spacing (60 × 20 cm) and paddy straw mulching enhanced growth attributes, growth rates, intercepted PAR (>56%), radiation use efficiency (>0.50 g MJ −1 ) and physiological parameters (photosynthetic rate: 15.5 µmol CO 2 m − 2 s − 1 ; stomatal conductance: 0.34 mol H 2 O m − 2 s − 1 ; transpiration rate: 3.82 mmol H 2 O m − 2 s − 1 ), resulting in higher total yields despite wider spacing (60 × 30 cm) producing larger cob attributes. The AquaCrop model accurately simulated biomass and yield across planting dates ( R 2 > 0.95). Increased plant density improved leaf area index (3.89 and 4.36 in winter and kharif ), contributing to greater productivity. Overall, AquaCrop serves as an effective decision‐support tool for optimizing baby corn management under varied field conditions.