Post-harvest handling and packaging of fresh baby corn

摘要

Baby corn has great potential, both for local as well as for export market. Around the year, 3-4 crops of baby corn can be taken. India has emerged as one of the potential baby corn producing countries. Baby corn is a short-lived plant so it can bearfruits only once, yielding 3-4 ears per plant. Baby corn is ready for harvest after seeds germinate and grow for 45-60 days. It is generally harvested after 2-3 days of hair emergence. Baby corn grows well in a wide range of soil types but it thrives best in loose, well drained soils. A suitable soil for baby corn has a wide pH range, from 5.5 to 7.0. It can also grow in quite very acid soil, but cannot grow in wetland with low drainage. Actual recovery of shelled cobs is about 15 to 20 percent of the harvested weight out of which the recovery of export quality cob is about 10 to 12 percent. The most preferred colour by the consumers / exporters is generally creamish to very light yellow. Ears are conical shape, soft, fibrous surrounded with hair and green leaves. Ovule/row arrangement should be regular and straight. Ears should be fresh, free from defects like rotting, insect damage, over dryness, over ripening and water soaking to get good prices.