Taro / Colocasia

पिँडालु (Pindalu)

📖 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott

Verified Agricultural Data (NARC) Root & Tuber Crops 📅 Falgun (फागुन) – Mangsir (मंसिर) 🌡️ 20–35°C ⚗️ pH 5.5–6.5 ⏱️ 180-210 days

Growing Season & Schedule

🌱

Recommended Growing Window: Falgun (फागुन) – Mangsir (मंसिर)

Taro takes 150 to 180 days to mature corms. Corms planted in Chaitra-Baisakh and harvested in Ashwin-Kartik across Nepal. Grows well in moist soils and semi-shade.

Description & Overview

Ancient starchy root and staple tuber crop of Nepal. Highly resilient to monsoon flooding. Both central corms and tender leaf stalks (गाभा - Gaava) are celebrated culinary ingredients across hill communities.

Details & Agronomic Insights

🌟 Positive Attributes & Health Benefits

High in complex carbohydrates, resistant starch, dietary fiber, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, and potassium. Provides steady sustained energy and supports colon health.

⚠️ Precautions & Adverse Notes

Raw corms and leaves contain needle-sharp calcium oxalate raphide crystals causing severe throat scratching and itchiness; MUST always be cooked or boiled thoroughly with lemon/tamarind.

🐛 Major Diseases & Pests

Taro Leaf Blight (Phytophthora colocasiae), Corm Rot, and Dasheen Mosaic Virus.

💊 Disease & Pest Solutions

Spray Metalaxyl + Mancozeb (2 g/L) or Copper Hydroxide (2.5 g/L) if circular water-soaked leaf spots appear.
Use healthy, non-punctured seed corms and practice earthing up twice during the season.
Avoid continuous monoculture in poorly drained depressions.

🧪 Fertilizer & Nutrition Recommendations

Apply 15-20 tons FYM/ha. NPK: 80:40:80 kg/ha. High potassium promotes healthy starch accumulation and large corm size.

Planting & Cultivation Guide

🌱 Planting Method Tuber Cutting

📏 Seed Depth 7.0 cm

↔️ Seed Spacing 45.0 cm

📐 Row Spacing 60.0 cm

🪱 Soil Type Moist, humus-rich alluvial soils with high water table tolerance

💧 Water Requirement High (800-1200 mm, moisture-loving)

☀️ Sunlight Partial Sun to Full Sun (5-7 hours)

🧪 NPK Dose 80:50:80 NPK kg/ha + 15 t/ha FYM

Climate & Altitude Requirements

⛰️ Altitude Range 200–1800 m

🗺️ Suitable Regions Terai, Inner Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temperature Range 20–35°C

⚗️ Optimal pH 5.5–6.5

Harvest Information & Yield

⏱️ Maturity Days 180-210 days

📦 Expected Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

🔍 Harvest Indicators:

Lower leaves dry and turn yellow; main corm reaches full size in late autumn

Crop Photo Gallery

पिँडालु (Pindalu) (Primary Photo)

Seasonal Calendar — रोप्ने पात्रो

Activity / कार्य	Start Month (BS)	End Month (BS)	Region / क्षेत्र	Gregorian Window
🌾 Harvesting	कार्तिक (Kartik)	मंसिर (Mangsir)	Mid-Hills (मध्यपहाड)	October - November
🌱 Sowing	फागुन (Falgun)	चैत (Chaitra)	Mid-Hills (मध्यपहाड)	February - March

Quick Reference

Verified

🌱 Method Tuber Cutting

📅 Season Falgun (फागुन) – Mangsir (मंसिर)

⏱️ Matures 180-210 days

💧 Water High (800-1200 mm, moisture-loving)

☀️ Sunlight Partial Sun to Full Sun (5-7 hours)

🪱 Soil Moist, humus-rich alluvial soils with high water table tolerance

🗺️ Regions Terai, Inner Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temp 20–35°C

⚗️ pH 5.5–6.5

📏 Depth 7.0 cm

📦 Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

📅 Planting Calendar 🩺 Plant Doctor AI

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