Potato (आलु)

आलु

📖 Solanum tuberosum L.

Verified Agricultural Data (NARC) Root & Tuber Crops 📅 Bhadra (भाद्र) – Magh (माघ) 🌡️ 15–22°C ⚗️ pH 5.0–6.5 ⏱️ 90-120 days

Growing Season & Schedule

🌱

Recommended Growing Window: Bhadra (भाद्र) – Magh (माघ)

Potatoes mature in 70 to 110 days depending on early or late varieties. Best planted in cool weather (mid-hills: Sep-Oct & Feb-Mar; Terai: Oct-Nov; high mountains: Mar-Apr).

Description & Overview

Major food security and cash crop in Nepal hills and Terai. Prefers loose, fertile sandy loam soil with good drainage.

Details & Agronomic Insights

🌟 Positive Attributes & Health Benefits

Rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. Helps maintain cellular energy, supports blood pressure regulation, and provides prolonged satiety.

⚠️ Precautions & Adverse Notes

Consuming green-sprouted potatoes can cause solanine toxicity. High glycemic index; diabetic individuals should monitor portion sizes.

🐛 Major Diseases & Pests

Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans), Early Blight (Alternaria solani), Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum), Potato Scab (Streptomyces scabies), and Potato Leaf Roll Virus.

💊 Disease & Pest Solutions

Spray Mancozeb (2.5 g/L) or Cymoxanil+Mancozeb (2 g/L) at first sign of Late Blight.
Use certified disease-free seed tubers and practice 3-year crop rotation (avoid solanaceous crops).
Plant in well-drained ridge beds to prevent bacterial wilt and tuber rot.
Treat seed tubers with Trichoderma viride (10 g/kg) before planting.

🧪 Fertilizer & Nutrition Recommendations

Basal application: Well-rotted FYM/compost 20-25 tons/ha. NPK recommended dose 100:60:60 kg/ha. Apply full P and K and half N at planting, remaining half N during earthing-up (30-35 days after planting).

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 Moderate / 500-700mm

☀️ 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 15–22°C

⚗️ Optimal pH 5.0–6.5

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

आलु (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
🌱 Sowing	मंसिर (Mangsir)	मंसिर (Mangsir)	Terai (तराई)	November - December

Quick Reference

Verified

🌱 Method Direct Seeding

📅 Season Bhadra (भाद्र) – Magh (माघ)

⏱️ Matures 90-120 days

💧 Water Moderate / 500-700mm

☀️ Sunlight Full Sun (6-8 hours direct)

🪱 Soil Well-drained fertile loam

🗺️ Regions Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temp 15–22°C

⚗️ pH 5.0–6.5

📏 Depth 2.0 cm

📦 Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

📅 Planting Calendar 🩺 Plant Doctor AI

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