Maize / Corn

मकै (Makai)

📖 Zea mays L.

Verified Agricultural Data (NARC) Cereals & Millets 📅 Chaitra (चैत) – Bhadra (भाद्र) 🌡️ 18–32°C ⚗️ pH 5.8–7.0 ⏱️ 90-120 days

Growing Season & Schedule

🌱

Recommended Growing Window: Chaitra (चैत) – Bhadra (भाद्र)

Maize matures in 90 to 120 days. Sown in Falgun-Chaitra for spring maize and Baisakh-Jestha for summer-monsoon maize in hills and Terai plains.

Description & Overview

Second most vital staple food crop of Nepal, grown primarily on terraced hills (बारी जमिन) during the summer pre-monsoon and monsoon. Consumed as Dhindo, roasted cob, and animal feed.

Details & Agronomic Insights

🌟 Positive Attributes & Health Benefits

Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin (vital eye antioxidants), dietary fiber, thiamine, magnesium, and phosphorus. Gluten-free grain supporting sustained physical stamina.

⚠️ Precautions & Adverse Notes

Low in essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan; should be consumed with legumes or dairy for protein balance.

🐛 Major Diseases & Pests

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Turcicum Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum), Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight, and Stalk Rot.

💊 Disease & Pest Solutions

Apply Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG (0.4 g/L) or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (0.3 mL/L) directly into whorls against Fall Armyworm.
Plant early in the season to evade heavy armyworm generations.
Spray Mancozeb (2.5 g/L) if oval necrotic leaf lesions from Turcicum blight appear.

🧪 Fertilizer & Nutrition Recommendations

Apply 15-20 tons FYM/ha. NPK: 120:60:40 kg/ha. Apply all P, K, and 1/3 N at sowing; side dress 1/3 N at knee-high stage (30-35 DAS) and 1/3 N at tasseling stage.

Planting & Cultivation Guide

🌱 Planting Method Direct Seeding

📏 Seed Depth 2.0 cm

↔️ Seed Spacing 30.0 cm

📐 Row Spacing 60.0 cm

🪱 Soil Type Well-drained fertile loam

💧 Water Requirement Medium (450-600 mm, regular watering)

☀️ Sunlight Full Sun (6-8 hours direct)

🧪 NPK Dose 100:60:40 NPK kg/ha

Climate & Altitude Requirements

⛰️ Altitude Range 100–2000 m

🗺️ Suitable Regions Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temperature Range 18–32°C

⚗️ Optimal pH 5.8–7.0

Harvest Information & Yield

⏱️ Maturity Days 90-120 days

📦 Expected Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

🔍 Harvest Indicators:

Harvest when crop reaches optimal market maturity and full color

Crop Photo Gallery

मकै (Makai) (Primary Photo)

Seasonal Calendar — रोप्ने पात्रो

Activity / कार्य	Start Month (BS)	End Month (BS)	Region / क्षेत्र	Gregorian Window
🌱 Sowing	असोज (Ashwin)	कार्तिक (Kartik)	All Nepal	September - November
🌾 Harvesting	मंसिर (Mangsir)	माघ (Magh)	All Nepal	November - January

Quick Reference

Verified

🌱 Method Direct Seeding

📅 Season Chaitra (चैत) – Bhadra (भाद्र)

⏱️ Matures 90-120 days

💧 Water Medium (450-600 mm, regular watering)

☀️ Sunlight Full Sun (6-8 hours direct)

🪱 Soil Well-drained fertile loam

🗺️ Regions Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temp 18–32°C

⚗️ pH 5.8–7.0

📏 Depth 2.0 cm

📦 Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

📅 Planting Calendar 🩺 Plant Doctor AI

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