Buckwheat

फापर (Phapar - मिठे र तिते)

📖 Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (also F. tataricum in high hills)

Verified Agricultural Data (NARC) Cereals & Millets 📅 Shrawan (साउन) – Mangsir (मंसिर) 🌡️ 10–22°C ⚗️ pH 5.0–6.5 ⏱️ 70-90 days

Growing Season & Schedule

🌱

Recommended Growing Window: Shrawan (साउन) – Mangsir (मंसिर)

Buckwheat is exceptionally fast-growing, maturing in just 60 to 75 days. Cultivated as autumn crop (Bhadra-Kartik) or spring crop (Falgun-Chaitra) in mid-hills and mountain zones.

Description & Overview

Fast-growing pseudo-cereal native to the Himalayan valleys. Nepal cultivates two primary types: Sweet Buckwheat (मिठे फापर - F. esculentum) in mid-hills and Tartary/Bitter Buckwheat (तिते फापर - F. tataricum) in high mountainous districts (Mustang, Manang, Dolpa). High in dietary rutin and gluten-free fiber.

Details & Agronomic Insights

🌟 Positive Attributes & Health Benefits

Naturally 100% gluten-free pseudo-cereal high in rutin (potent flavonoid protecting capillaries and vascular elasticity), complete protein with balanced lysine, and magnesium.

⚠️ Precautions & Adverse Notes

Fagopyrin in green parts can cause mild photosensitivity in rare cases; buckwheat grains are hypoallergenic and widely consumed.

🐛 Major Diseases & Pests

Downy Mildew, Chlorotic Leaf Spot, Root Rot under stagnant moisture, and Cutworms in early seedling stage.

💊 Disease & Pest Solutions

Ensure well-drained sunny fields; buckwheat cannot tolerate waterlogging or heavy frost.
Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization which induces excessive leafy growth and lodging.
Spray neem formulation if cutworms or aphids attack tender young leaves.

🧪 Fertilizer & Nutrition Recommendations

Low fertilizer demand: 5-10 tons FYM/ha. NPK: 30:20:20 kg/ha applied as basal dose during field preparation.

Planting & Cultivation Guide

🌱 Planting Method Direct Seeding

📏 Seed Depth 2.0 cm

↔️ Seed Spacing 8.0 cm

📐 Row Spacing 20.0 cm

🪱 Soil Type Well-drained light sandy loam; thrives in poor soils

💧 Water Requirement Low (250-350 mm, sensitive to waterlogging)

☀️ Sunlight Full Sun (6-8 hours direct)

🧪 NPK Dose 30:30:20 NPK kg/ha

Climate & Altitude Requirements

⛰️ Altitude Range 800–3800 m

🗺️ Suitable Regions Mid-Hills, High-Hills, Trans-Himalayan valleys

🌡️ Temperature Range 10–22°C

⚗️ Optimal pH 5.0–6.5

Harvest Information & Yield

⏱️ Maturity Days 70-90 days

📦 Expected Yield 1.0 - 1.8 t/ha

🔍 Harvest Indicators:

75% of triangular seed grains turn dark brown or black

Crop Photo Gallery

फापर (Phapar - मिठे र तिते) (Primary Photo)

Buckwheat — Field View #2

Buckwheat — Field View #3

Buckwheat — Field View #4

Pink Blossoming Buckwheat Valley in Mustang

Seasonal Calendar — रोप्ने पात्रो

Activity / कार्य	Start Month (BS)	End Month (BS)	Region / क्षेत्र	Gregorian Window
🪴 Nursery	साउन (Shrawan)	भाद्र (Bhadra)	High Hills (उच्च पहाड)	July - August
🌱 Sowing	भाद्र (Bhadra)	असोज (Ashwin)	High Hills (उच्च पहाड)	August - September
🌾 Harvesting	कार्तिक (Kartik)	मंसिर (Mangsir)	High Hills (उच्च पहाड)	October - November

Quick Reference

Verified

🌱 Method Direct Seeding

📅 Season Shrawan (साउन) – Mangsir (मंसिर)

⏱️ Matures 70-90 days

💧 Water Low (250-350 mm, sensitive to waterlogging)

☀️ Sunlight Full Sun (6-8 hours direct)

🪱 Soil Well-drained light sandy loam; thrives in poor soils

🗺️ Regions Mid-Hills, High-Hills, Trans-Himalayan valleys

🌡️ Temp 10–22°C

⚗️ pH 5.0–6.5

📏 Depth 2.0 cm

📦 Yield 1.0 - 1.8 t/ha

📅 Planting Calendar 🩺 Plant Doctor AI

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