Maize Farming Techniques

Manual

District Agriculture Development District Agriculture Development

Office, Sindhupalchwok Office, Gorkha
Maize Farming Techniques
Manual

District Agriculture Development District Agriculture Development

Office, Sindhupalchowk Office, Gorkha
 Government of Nepal
Ministry of Agriculture Development
Regional Agriculture Directorate, central development Region
DISTRICT AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT OFIICE
Sindhupalchok, Chautara
Acknowledgement
Training Plays important role for the Change in behavior by improvement of knowledge, skill
& ability of the farmers. To follow up and enhance more technically about the local methods,
techniques, learning & experiences with current climatic requirement & technical needs are
our major responsibility. Good Agricultural practices, traditional knowledge, skill &
experience as well as research output techniques will be very helpful for successful
Agriculture work. Successful Agriculture works refers to increment in the production of
cereals, vegetables & cash crops as well as their marketing for raising the income.
Management of the problems which arises during the farming like; disease pest occurrence,
soil, Agro-materials also falls under the successive Agriculture work.
Regarding to the emerging context for commercialization, raising income and upliftment on
livelihood of farmers by technical enhancement in simple way, we feel very happy by the
preparation of this manual with very useful technical knowledge. This manual which is
prepared under the JICA project on Rehabilitation & Recovery from Nepal Earthquake
(RRNE) not only useful for rural Farmers, but also very useful for every technician related to
Agriculture offices for the training material. It has been hoped that this manual, especially
addressing the maize production techniques will support for the increment of the productivity,
improving in quality maize production.
JICA/RRNE & Good Neighbors Nepal has helped much more for the preparation, correction,
edition, all other related works & funding. I am also glad to assisting the preparation of this
manual directly & indirectly by all persons, DADO technicians & technicians of Agriculture
service center. I am hoping for this type of manual publication support by all readers & JICA
Nepal in near future containing other precise & important training contents & materials.

March, 2016
………………………
Hikmat Kumar Shrestha
Senior Agriculture Development Officer
 Government of Nepal

Ministry of Agriculture Development

Regional Agriculture Directorate, central development Region

DISTRICT AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT OFIICE

Gorkha

Acknowledgement

Among various organizations working in Gorkha, situating on the central part of Agricultural
country Nepal, by the support of the JICA project on Rehabilitation & Recovery from Nepal
Earthquake with Good Neighbors Nepal as its implementation partner, this manual is very
much helpful for the substantial and commercial farmers, agriculture related technicians, as it
has been prepared including all technical parts, and it is seemed to be supported for the
poverty alleviation, food security, and increasing farmers income by the increment of
agricultural production and productivity.

Receiving as a reference to the available theoretical and practical educational materials

included in this Maize Farming Techniques Manual; and as it has covered all technical
aspects like identification of maize variety, land preparation, maize sowing, fertilizer
management, importance of different fertilizers, preparation of compost, seed germination
testing method, irrigation, weeding and weed control method, identification and management
of pest and disease in maize, crop harvesting method, storage method, IPM method,
preparation of organic pesticide etc., it is believed to be useful to especially farmers,
respective technicians as well as to other readers.

Finally, I would like very much thanks to staff of the JICA Project Team & Good
neighbors Nepal for their hard work on preparation of this manual.

………………………

Yam Kumar Shrestha

Senior Agriculture Development Officer

District Agriculture Development Office, Gorkha

Table of Contents

PART I: CHARACTERISTICS OF MAIZE FARMING ......................................................... 1

1. Background ............................................................................................................................ 1

2. Climate and Soil Condition.................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Climates ............................................................................................................................ 2

2.2 Soil ................................................................................................................................... 2

3. Types of Maize ...................................................................................................................... 2

3.1. Dent Corn ........................................................................................................................ 2

3.2. Flint corn ......................................................................................................................... 3

4. Varieties of Maize .................................................................................................................. 3

Part II: Technical Aspects for Quality Maize Production.......................................................... 5

5. Basic Knowledge for Maize Cultivation................................................................................ 5

5.1 Various stages of Maize plant .......................................................................................... 5

5.2 General schedule for maize cultivation and Technical works.......................................... 6

5.3 Selection of land ............................................................................................................. 10

5.4 Crop rotation for reducing disease and pest ................................................................... 10

5.5 Germination test of commercial seed from Agro-vet: ................................................... 11

5.6 Treatment of seed before sowing ................................................................................... 13

5.7 Land preparation& sowing of maize .............................................................................. 14

6. Activities during Growth Period .......................................................................................... 19

6.1 First farm work: (25-30 days after sowing) ................................................................... 19

6.2 Second farm work: (25-30 days after 1st farm work) ..................................................... 20

6.3 Third farm work: (25-30 days after second farm work)................................................. 21

7. Irrigation .............................................................................................................................. 21

8. Weed Management .............................................................................................................. 21

8.1 Major weeds in maize field ............................................................................................ 22

8.2 Methods of controlling weeds ........................................................................................ 22

9. Major Disease, Pests and Methods of Controlling Them .................................................... 22

9.1. Major causes of disease and pest attack ........................................................................ 22

9.2 Major pest and control methods ..................................................................................... 23

9.3 Major disease and control methods ................................................................................ 24

10. I. P. M. Methods According To Condition of Maize Crop ................................................ 25

10.1 Botanical and bio-pesticides......................................................................................... 25

10.2 Preparation of Bio pesticides / Botanical pesticides .................................................... 25

11. Harvesting of Maize for Consumption .............................................................................. 27

11.1 Time of harvesting ....................................................................................................... 27

11.2 Storage.......................................................................................................................... 27

11.3 Self-seed production method ........................................................................................ 28

Compost ................................................................................................................................... 30

PART 1: Farm Yard Manure (FYM) ...................................................................................... 31

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 31

2. Advantages of Well Decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM) ........................................... 31

2.1 Improvement of soil productivity................................................................................... 31

2.2 Healthy for plants ........................................................................................................... 32

2.3 Good means of breakdown of organic matter ................................................................ 32

3. Material Required for Making FYM.................................................................................... 32

4. The Place for Making FYM ................................................................................................. 32

5. Condition Required for Well Decomposition of FYM ........................................................ 34

6. Collection of Animal Urine and Its Advantages .................................................................. 35

6.1 Collection of urine .......................................................................................................... 35

6.2 Advantage of collecting urine ........................................................................................ 35

7. Things to Be Considered While Making Farm Yard Manure (FYM) ................................. 36

PART 2: Compost Manure ...................................................................................................... 37

8. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 37
9. The Advantages of the Compost Manure ............................................................................ 37

10. The Materials Required for Making Compost Manure...................................................... 38

11. The Place for Making Compost Manure ............................................................................ 38

12. Methods of Preparing Compost Manure ........................................................................... 38

12.1 Methods of preparing compost in pit ........................................................................... 38

12.2 Heap method ................................................................................................................ 41

13. Identifying the Well Decomposed Compost & FYM ........................................................ 43

References ................................................................................................................................ 44
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 1

PART I: CHARACTERISTICS OF MAIZE FARMING

1. Background

Maize iiss second main food crops after ppaddy

addy in term of production among three major food
crops of Nepal. Especially in hilly area,
area, m
maize is considered as the important source of food
food.
Maize is known as a traditional cereal crop in Nepal; nevertheless, its average productivity is
low in comparison to other developed countries. Major reasons behind low production are
lack of proper preparation of land, use of less quality seed and lack of proper use of organic
and other fertilizers.
fertilizer . Hence, there is great potential for increasing the maize production in
Nepal if proper quality seeds and improved cultivation techniques are applied
applied.

Fig. No. 1.
1.1 Rampur Composite variety of maize cultivation

Source: JICA Project T

Team
eam
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 2

2. Climate and Soil C

Condition
ondition

2.1 C
Climates

• The suitable climate for well growth and development of maize plant is in warm
weather with moderate
rate rainfall.
rainfall

• 20 ºC temperatures is needed for germination and a range of 21-27

21 27 ºC temperature is
suitable for better growth of maize plant.

• In mid-hill
hill region,
region, if heavy rainfall occurs at time of tasseling stage
stage,, it causes different
disease, pests to maize crop leading to fewer kernels in cobs; therefore, it is necessary
to cultivate maize sowing in late March to early April due to tasseling stage start
before heavy rainfall.

2.2 Soil

• Fertile, light loamy and sloppy

oppy or non
non-water--logged soil is good for maize cultivation.

3. Types of M
Maize
aize

Generally, there are several types of maize cultivated in the world. In Nepal, the types of
Dent corn and Flint corn are cultivated
cultivated at this moment.

3.1. Dent Corn

Dent
ent corn is mostly used as feed for
farm animals and poultry, as it contains
more gluten
gluten. Similarly, the yellow color
of kernel
kernel/grains
/grains gives yellowish
yellowi color
tone to egg and mea
meat.

From the production point of view, dent

corn gives a ggood
ood yields but it has less
resistance to weevils during the storage
period
period.. Similarly, compared to other Fig. No. 2. Dent corn/maize

variety of maize,
maize, dent corn has fewer Source: JICA Project
Project Team
eam
nutrients
nutrients.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 3

2. Flint corn
3.2.

Flint corn does not have dent on its kernels

kernels, has more starch which results to have more
flour. Therefore,
herefore, it is used for preparing
porridge cake or bread. Flint corn has
more nutrients, tasty while eating and it
has disease resistant capacity also. F
Flint
corn remains safe in storage from weevil
for several months under natural
condition.

In hilly area of Nepal, maize cereal crop

is grown especially for human
consumption
consumption.. Therefore,
Therefore, plump flint corn Fig. No. 3 Flint corn
variety is better for cultivation than other Source: JICA Project
P Team
eam
varieties at this moment, since it is
disease resistant and can be stored for a long time and to consume.

4. Varieties of M
Maize
aize

Table No. 4.1

Variety of maize cultivated in Nepal

Yield
Variety of Grain Maturity Recommended Varietal
SN potential
Maize color days areas characteristics
(ton/ha.)
.)

Tolerance to Downy
Rampur Orange Terai, inner
1 4.42 115-130
130 Mildew, tight husk
composite Yellow Terai,
erai, Hills
cover

Dwarf plant height,

Light Terai, inner
2 Arun 2 3.0 80-90 non-lodging,
lodging, reddish
yellow Terai
erai Hills
color of shelled cob

Tight husk cover,

3 Manakamana
Manakamana1 White 3-5 120-130
130 Mid-hills
hills tolerance to Downy
mildew
Dwarf in plant height,
Terai, inner
4 Arun 1 White 3.5-4.5 90-100 non-lodging,
lodging, early
Terai, Hills
maturing variety
5 Manakaman
Manakamanaa3 White 5.6 142 Mid-hills
hills Tight husk cover, stay
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 4

Yield
Variety of Grain Maturity Recommended Varietal
SN potential
Maize color days areas characteristics
(ton/ha.)
green character

Tolerant to banded leaf

& sheath blight, thick
6 Manakamana4 Yellow 5.1 140-145 Mid-hills
Stover, non-lodging,
stay green character

Lysine & Tryptophan

content is doubled as
7 PoshiloMakai1 White 5.6 140-145 Mid-hills
compared to normal
varieties

Tolerant to banded leaf

& sheath blight, thick
8 Manakamana5 White 6.6 140-145 Mid-hills
Stover, non-lodging,
stay green character
(Source: National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan)

Out of the above, Rampur composite is better for Mid- Hill area, which is described below:

Rampur Composite is a variety of

flint corn recommended in the year
1975. The average height of stalk is
210-220 cm and can be harvested in
110 days of sowing. Rampur
Compost is mostly cultivated in mid-
hills, inner-Terai and Terai areas.
The color of its kernel is orange-
Fig. No. 41.1 Variety of maize: Rampur composite
yellow, and it is resistant to downy
(orange yellow) & manakamana-3 (white)
mildew. The husk of this corn
Source: JICA Project Team
variety covers till tip of the cob and
remains safe from water; hence, this variety of flint corn has less problem downy mildew.
Rampur Composite gives good yields in the Terai, inner- Terai, Mid-hills and High hills as
well. Therefore, District Agriculture development office (DADO) suggests the cultivation of
Rampur Composite variety in the mid-hill areas.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 5

II: TECHNICAL
PARTII: ECHNICAL ASPECTSFOR
SPECTSFOR QUALITY
UALITY MAIZE PRODUCTION

5. Basic Knowledge
ledge for Maize Cultivation
Cultivation

5.1 V
Various
arious stages of Maize plant

(A) Seedling stage

• It is the initial stage of maize plant

with 2-4
4 leaves after the emergence. It
takes 1-2
1 2 weeks' time after the seed
plantation

Fig. No. 5.1.1 Two leaf stage after

germination of maize plant
(B) Growth stage of maize

• Major growth stage of maize is to

certain height equal to knee
knee-length
height. It takes 35-40
35 40 days' time
period. First top dressing is done in
this stage. Likewise, first topdressing,
and last weeding and hoeing are also
done in this stage.
Fig. No. 5.1.2
5.1. Growing stage of maize
plant

(C) Tasseling stage

• This stage is also called stage of male

flower emergence (pollen formation)
or Tasseling stage. The
The Tassel is
formed after 14th or 15th leaves in
maize plant, and final top
top-dressing
should be done during this stage for
good yields.
Fig. No. 5.1.3
5.1. Tasseling stage of maize
plant
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 6

(D) Silking stage

• This stage is also called as cob

formation stage. In this stage,
Gynoecia are developed. Generally,
Cob also emerges between 7 th to 11th
leaves.

Fig. No. 5.1.4

5.1. Silking emergence stage
of maize plant
(E) Milking stage of maize

• The development of blisters/ kernels

starts after the completion of
pollination, and silks emerge at the
upper end of the cob ear. The outer
husk is also green, and the blisters
appear to be milky. This is the best
period to eat green corn/maize

Fig. No. 5.1.5

5.1. Milking stage of maize
plant
Fig. No.
o. 5.1 Various Stages of maize plant

Source: JICA Project Team

5.2 General schedule for maize

maize cultivation and Technical works

The general schedule for maize

maize cultivation and technical works are indicated in the
following table:
 Maize Farming Techniques Manual 7

Table No. 5.2

Maize cropping calendar

Weeks Stages of plants Activities Remarks

Use of fertilizers Control of diseases & pests

• Remove and burn or bury residues in the

field to avoid outbreaks of pests & diseases
in the next cultivation
3rd Week Land preparation • Initial stage of • White Grub • Well fermented FYM or compost should
of Feb applying compost / be used

FYM

• Compost / FYM: 50-

60 Doko (250-300 kg/
Ropani)
3rd Week Application of Apply the following • Seed treatment with fungicides
of Mar. - Fertilizer / Seed amount of fertilizer to the
3rd Week preparation
field and plough the land
of Apr.
before sowing.

• Urea: 2.6 kg./

Ropani
 Maize Farming Techniques Manual 8

Weeks Stages of plants Activities Remarks

Use of fertilizers Control of diseases & pests

• D.A.P: 3 kg/
Ropani

• Potash: 2.5 kg/

Ropani
4th Week Seed sowing • 1.5 kg. seed/ Ropani
of Mar. –
4th Week
of Apr.
4th Week 5 leaf stage of maize • First top dressing • First weeding and rouging
of Apr. –
Urea: 0.87 kg. / Ropani • First rouging:
th
4 Week
Uproot Diseased and off types plants
of May
2nd Week Knee-height stage • Second top dressing: • Stem borer • Second weeding
of May-
Urea: 0.87 kg./ Ropani • Second rouging
2nd Week
of Jun. • If possible, first irrigation
4th Week Tasseling stage • Third top dressing: • Gray leaf Spot • If possible, second irrigation.
of May–
Urea: 0.87 kg./ Ropani
th
4 Week
of Jun.
 Maize Farming Techniques Manual 9

Weeks Stages of plants Activities Remarks

Use of fertilizers Control of diseases & pests

1st Week Silking stage • Stalk rot of maize

of Jun. –
Pollination stage
1st Week
of Jul.
4th Week Seed formation or • Black smut of Maize
of Jun. - Milking stage
4th Week
of Jul.
3rd Week Seed ripening stage • Ear rot of Maize
of Jul.- (cob fully formed)
3rd Week
of Aug.
4th Week Harvesting stage • Harvest the maize in sunny & dry day
of Jul.-
4th Week
of Aug.
Source: JICA Project Team
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 10

5.3 Selection of land

• Fertile, light loamy and sloppy (or non-water-logged) soil is good for maize
cultivation.

5.4 Crop rotation for reducing disease and pest

• For the controlling of disease and pest, same family crop should not be continuously
cultivated every year in same plot, and crop rotation should be adopted in every 3
years.

• If farmers cultivate maize every year in the same plot, virus & other soil borne
diseases will be increased gradually.

• The crop rotation can be adopted as given below:

First of all, farmers should divide their field into 3 plots.

In the first year, cultivate the maize in 1st plot, cultivate potato in 2nd plot & if
possible cultivate legume in 3rd plot.

In 2nd year, continue the same procedure following same time & season but
rotate the crops like maize will be in 2nd plot, potato in 3rd plot & legume or
vegetable will be in 1st plot.

In third year, do same as before by rotating the crop.

This way, every three years, there will be changing the crops in farmers' field,
which will help to control and eradicate the disease & pest in the crop production
field.

• The figure below indicates the crop rotation for the 3 years in a same plot.

1st Plot
2nd Plot
Maize
Potato

3rd Plot

Legume

Fig. 5.4.1 Concept of crop rotation for Maize production

Source: JICA Project Team

Maize Farming Techniques Manual 11

5.5 Germination test of commercial seed from Agro-vet

• If possible, it would be better to use of certified and disease free seed to prevent seed
born disease, otherwise there is risk of low production.

• Among received seeds from market, the warranty tag of the seed bag should be
checked whether that is the right variety or not. After that, the germination test of the
seed should be done.

• To identify the germination capacity of seeds, the following ways can be followed:

Keep sand/ soil in a flexible container or carton box, and remove stones from
sand/ soil.

Take 200 seeds randomly from the seed bag.

Sow the 100 seed in one cartoon box making 10 rows with 10 seeds in each row,
and repeat the same process for another 100 seeds in other carton box, for
simultaneously getting more exact germination rate. During sowing, seed to seed
distance should be 2.5 cm. to 3 cm and the depth should be double of the seed size,
and should provide daily irrigation.

Count seedlings up to 7 days to know the vigor of seed.

If germination rate of seed was found more than 85%, these seed can be used as
seed. But, if it is less than 85% germination, either other quality seed have to be
procured or sow the seed more.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 12

Techniques of testing Germination of seed

Fig. No. 5.5.1 Making line with finger Fig. No. 5.5.2 Sowing maize seeds in line

Fig. No. 5.5.3 Maize seeds sowed in row Fig. No. 5.5.4 Covering seeds with soil

Fig. No. 5.5.5 Watering the planted seeds Fig. No. 5.5.6 Sprouted maize plant

Fig No. 5.5 Procedure for maize seed germination test

Source: JICA Project

roject Team
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 13

5.6 T
Treatment
reatment of seed before sowing

Maize seeds should be treated by fungicides for controlling damping-off

damping off of plant in initial
stage. Processes for seed treatment are as follows:

• For seed treatment, 1.5 gm. of Captan or Thiram fungicide is needed for per kg seed.
1.5 kg of maize seeds need to cultivate the maize for 1 Ropani and 2.25 gm. of Captan
or Thiram fungicides is enough to treat that much of seed.

• Mix the fungicides with maize seeds in an air ti

tight
ght pot or container with lead cover,
and stir it vigorously for 8-10
8 10 minutes.

• The following cautions should be considered while treating seeds with fungicide:

Windy place must be avoided as it can sweep away powder.

Children, pregnant women and old

old-aged
aged people are more vulnerable to pesticides;
therefore, they should not be involved while treating the seeds.

Use mask, globes and spectacles while treating the seeds.

Wear the clothes that cover the whole body.

Use only the pesticide of proper quantity.

Wash thoroughly with soap water when fungicide touches skin directly.

Fig. No. 5.6.1 Seed treatment methods by the use of fungicide

Source: JICA Project

P Team
eam
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 14

5.7 Land preparation and sowing of maize

(A) Field sanitation before cultivation

In case residues of earlier crops remain in the field, the larva of the pest & disease of
the previous crops stay alive in soil, and attack the new crops as well. Therefore, field
should be cleaned after harvesting.

(B) Application of FYM (Farm yard manure)

• Around 50-60 bamboo baskets (DOKO) of well-fermented FYM per Ropani of

land should be applied during the land preparation or first plowing (1-2 month
earlier of cultivation).

• Use of unfermented FYM (farm yard manure) can increase pest such as white
grubs, cut worms and other worms.

• In case, heaps of FYM put in the field for long time, the nutrients in the FYM will
be lost and insect may lay eggs in the heaps also. So, it should be better spread the
manure and plow the field immediately.

(C) First ploughing

• 1-2 month before planting, during Dec-Jan, first plowing should be done.

• Plowing should be done after putting the well fermented FYM (50-60 DOKO /
Ropani) as organic fertilizer on the field.

• Plough the field two times, which will make the soil loose, and make easy for
aeration and root growth. In the first time, plough the filed 5-8 cm deep and
second time 10-15 cm deep should be done.

• In case, there is big size of soil clods present in the field after first plowing, the
breaking of those clods should be done manually with the help of spade or other
equipment before those clods become hard.

(D) Second plowing and sowing of maize

• The field should be ploughed second time just before seed sowing in line with the
application of basal dose of chemical fertilizers. Apply 2.6 kg of Urea, 3 kg of
DAP, 2.5 kg of Potash per Ropani as a basal dose of fertilizer.

• Line sowing has an advantage over broadcasting as it requires less seed, facilitates
easy weed control.
 Maize Farming Techniques Manual 15

• Just after sowing of seeds, we should press the soil, which will conserve the
moisture
isture, and will help, for easy germination.

Fig. No. 5.7.1 Farmer plowing land for Fig. No. 5.7.2 Farmers preparing rows
maize cultivation for maize cultivation
Source: JICA Project Team Source: JICA Project Team
(E) Sowing

(I) Time of Maize sowing and harvesting according to different region

For the maize cultivation, Average temperature of 24 hours should be at least 10 º C

C.

Table No.5.7.1

Time of maize sowing & harvesting in different region

Month Feb/ Mar/ Apr/ May/ June/ July/ Aug/ Sept Oct Nov/ Dec/ Jan/

Area Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept / Oct / Dec Jan Feb
Nov

High
hills

Mid-
hills

Terai
or low
land

Time of sowing

Time of harvesting

Source: JICA Project

P Team
eam
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 16
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 17

(II) Amount of seed

In case of germination rate over than 85%, we should apply the seed rate as
mentioned in the table below. If the germination rate is below 85%, the amount of
seeds sown should be increased.

Table No. 5.7.2

Necessary amount of seed based on the number of seed per kg and density of plants

Plant density Necessary amount of seed ( in case of two seed sown per
(Plant numbers/ spot)
Ropani)
3000 seed/kg 3500 seed/kg 4000 seed/kg

4,100 2.72 kg/ Ropani 2.34 kg/ Ropani 2.05 kg/ Ropani

3,900 2.60 kg/ Ropani 2.22 kg/ Ropani 1.95 kg/ Ropani

3,600 2.40 kg/ Ropani 2.05 kg/ Ropani 1.8 kg/ Ropani

Source: JICA Project Team

(III) Methods of sowing seeds

• Seeds will be soaked for 1 night in water, and dry it slightly in shadow before
sowing.

• Field needs to have adequate moisture (when the condition of the surface of the
field soil become somehow brownish, and when we take the soil on palm and tight
it with fingers, it will slowly break after releasing the fingers) during sowing time
for using water soaked seeds.

• 2-3 maize seeds should be sown in each spot with 3-5 cm deep in rows.

• Seeds should be sown in the spacing of 20-24 cm from seed to seed and 60-68 cm
from line to line. The different range of spacing & plant number per Ropani is
mentioned in the table below:
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 18

Table No. 5.7.3

Plant to plant and row to row distance & number of plants / Ropani

Row- 20 cm 22 cm 24 cm
Row\ plant-
plant
plant

60 cm 4,166 plants/ Ropani 3,787 plants/ Ropani 3,472 plants/ Ropani

64 cm 3,906 plants/ Ropani 3,551 plants/ Ropani 3,255 plants/ Ropani

68 cm 3,676 plants/ Ropani 3,342 plants/ Ropani 3,063 plants/ Ropani

Source: JICA Project Team

• Advantage of line
line sowing is as followings:

Save amount of seed for sowing

Easy for weeding the field

Easy for covering the plant by soil, and making good drainage way or
irrigation in the field

Easy for top dressing on the plants.

Fig. No. 5.7.3 Soaked maize Fig. No. 5.7.4 Spacing between row to row and plant to
seeds before cultivation plant
Source: JICA Project
roject Team Source: JICA Project
roject Team
(IV) Application of chemical fertilizer

• The half dose of Urea, full dose of DAP and full dose of Potash should be applied
in line and plow the field, then sow seeds in same line.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 19

• The detail amount, type and time of fertilizer application is mentioned on the table
below:

Table No. 7.5.4

Name of fertilisers, amount and timing of application
Fertilizers/ Basic dose ( per Top dressing (kg./ Time
Manures Ropani) Ropani)
1st 2nd 3rd

Compost/ FYM 50-60 bamboo Land preparation

basket (250-300 (Before one or two
kg) month of sowing)
Urea 2.62 kg 0.87 0.87 0.87 Basic- sowing time
1st- first weeding
2nd- second weeding
3rd- tasseling stage
DAP 3 kg Sowing time
Potash 2.5 kg Sowing time
Source: JICA Project Team

6. Activities during Growth Period

• We should regularly check the field during 15-20 days after sowing to see if any
problems have been occurred in the field.

6.1 First farm work: (25-30 days after sowing)

(A) First weeding

• Various unnecessary weeds grow in maize field. Hence firstly, after 25-30 days of
sowing, we should weed the field, and take the weeds away from the field.

• Weeding will help the maize seedlings to relieve from competition with weeds.

(B) Thinning

• After 25-30 days of sowing maize or at 4-5 leaf stage, thinning should be done.

• Thinning means practice of keeping only one healthy seedling removing another
seedling from each spot.

• Thinning should be done just after the first weeding at the same time.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 20

• Thinning helps to control competition for nutrition, water, and sunlight among the
plants. As a result, remained one plant develops well.

(C) Transplanting

• The removed plants during thinning can be transplanted to the missing spot of
field.

• In case the missing spot found, the transplanting should be done after enough
watering. But, the root of the maize plant should be pulled out with soil in the
root; otherwise, there might be problem of no formation of cob, or no kernel on
the cob.

(D) First top dressing

• After 25-30 days of sowing, we have to apply urea immediately as first top
dressing. Applying of 0.87 kg Urea per Ropani, first weeding should be done 25-
30 days after sowing. We should apply quarter tea spoon of urea near (5-10 cm) to
each plant, and cover it by soil.

6.2 Second farm work: (25-30 days after 1st farm work)

(A) Second weeding

The weeds should also be removed on knee-height stage as second weeding after 20-
25 days of first weeding.

(B) Second top dressing

After 20-25 days of first top dressing, during knee height stage, we should apply the
urea as second top dressing near the plant (5-10 cm from plant) after second weeding,
like first top dressing.

(C) Making ridge

• After the second weeding and top dressing, each nodal root of maize plant should
be covered by soil for the prevention of lodging in plants.

• At the same time of covering, we should make the drainage way between each
line of plants, which helps to prevent lodging while it rains heavily.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 21

6.3 Third farm work: (25-30 days after second farm work)

(A) Third weeding

The weeds should be removed again on tasselling stage as third weeding after 20-25
days of second weeding applying the urea.

(B) Third top dressing

After 20-25 days of second top dressing, during tasseling stage, we have to apply urea
near each plant ( 5-10 cm) as third top dressing immediately just after 3rd weeding.

(C) Making ridge

After the third weeding and top dressing, each nodal root of maize plant should be
covered by soil for the prevention of lodging in plants.

(D) Making drainage

In the fourth farm work, drainage should be made between each line of plants, which
will help to prevent root rot problems by plant logging during heavy rain.

7. Irrigation: only in case of availability of irrigation facility

For better maize production, soil must have adequate moisture until 40-45 days from
sowing. Likewise, Soil moisture should be maintained also in the tasseling and kernel
developing stage. Irrigation is necessary after the first weeding and during the tassel stage
if the field goes dry.

8. Weed Management

• If weeding is not done in proper time, the unnecessary weeds and plants compete for
nutrients, light, water and place, which obstructs in proper growth of plants and
decreases yields.

• Therefore, unnecessary plants and weeds have to be removed in well manner. This
results for better production by well growth and development of plant,
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 22

8.1 Major weeds in maize field

a) Commelina grass

b) Digiteria grass

c) Cyperus grass

d) Cynodon grass

e) Ageratum grass

8.2 Methods of controlling weeds

• Plow the maize filed properly earlier to cultivation.

• At time of sowing, remove weeds and cover the maize plant by soil during the time of
weeding (20-25 days of sowing).

• The weeds like Cyperus should be uprooted together with the underground roots, and
root galls should be buried or burned away from the field.

• If the field is ploughed in summer season, the weeds die due to the sun light.

9. Major Disease, Pests and Methods of Controlling Them

9.1. Major causes of disease and pest attack

• Use of not well-decomposed FYM.

• Residues of previous crops.

• Lack of proper cleaning of the field.

• The fungal disease like Downey mildew can attack, if the temperature and humidity is
high.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 23

.2 Major pest and control methods

9.2

Pests Symptoms of Control methods

damage
It lives in soil, and • Plowing the field, and destroy it
feed roots, which picking up the white grub manually
caused death of
• Do not use unfermented FYM.
plant
• Use Hamal Jhol 1.
• In case, there is the prevalence of
white grub every year, Use 2 kg
Fig. No. 9.2.1 White Grub Meterhizium pesticide per Ropani
mixing with soil during second
Source: Plant Protection plowing time.
Directorate, Hariharbhawan,
Lalitpur • If there is highly effect of white
grub, we also can use M
Meterhizium
eterhizium
at second weeding time in ssoil.
oil.
It initially feeds • Remove the borer infected maize
leaves, and finally plant from the field, and can also be
enters inside stalk fed to the animal.
and damages it
• Use Hamal
H Jhol-- 2 in maize plants
eating the growing
mixing with equal amount of water.
shoot and flesh
inside. • Use Carbofuran pesticide 44-5
Fig. No. 9.2.2 Maize stem
granules per plant placing them at
borer
tassel growing part of maize at
Source: Plant Protection knee-height
height stage.
Directorate, Hariharbhawan,
Lalitpur
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 24

9.3 Major disease and control methods

Disease Symptoms Control methods

(Fusarium disease) • Properly sanitize the field after

Ear starts turning red harvesting and before sowing.

from the tip and • Maintain the crop rotation after

spreads down rotting every 3 years w
with
ith other crops.
the whole cob.
• Early sowing of maize result in the
Fig. No. 9.3.1
9.3.1.. Common Ear formation of cob before heavy
rot disease rainfall start, which can control this

Source: JICA Project Team disease.

• Make good drainage facility in the

field.
field

(Fungal disease) • Control in the wa

wayy as mentioned in

The tassels become above disease.

black and rot. The • If black smut disease appears in

cob is filled with maize field, wrap it with polithene
blackish powdery bag without dropping on field,
dusts in place of chop the stalk and burry it or burn
kernels. it down.
Fig. No. 9.3.2 Black smut
disease

Source: JICA Project Team

(Bacterial disease) • Control in the way as me

mentioned
ntioned in

Blackening of stalk above disease.

near about second • This disease is occurred after the

node
de from soil attack borer, hence; use
surface, the stem rots, Carbofuran (Furadan 3%) to
and stalk collapses. control the borers.
Fig. No. 9.3.3Pythium The stalk with water
9.3.3Pythium
Stalk/Stem rot disease soaked releases
Source: JICA Project Team offensive smell.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 25

Disease Symptoms Control methods

(Fungal disease) • Properly sanitize the field after

Leaves turn harvesting & before sowing

yellowish and streaks • Maintain the crop rotation in every

appear on leaves. 3 years with other crops excluding
wheat.

• Cultivate disease
disease-resistant
resistant variety
such as Rampur
Rampur-composite.
composite.

• Spray fungicide Bevistine 75% W.

P. 3 gram mixing in per liter of
Fig. No. 9.3.4 Downy Mildew water.
Source: Plant Protection
Directorate, Hariharbhawan,
Lalitpur

10. I. P. M. M
Metho
ethods
ds According to
to Condition of Maize C
Crop

10.1 Bio pesticides

esticides and botanical
botanical pesticides

Different types of pesticides are in use to control the damage made by different pest and
disease
disease. The
he principle of natural
natural enemy has been already being practiced in Nepal as well
among different pesticides.
pesticides The bio pesticides and botanical pesticides means the
pesticide prepared from natural ingredients for controlling pests.

The advantages of Bio pesticides / Botanical pesticides are as follows:

• Use of bio pesticide is safer for users, as it has less harm in human health.

• It is environment friendly and sustainable method of crop conservation.

• It helps in protection of friendly insects (Predators).

10.2 Preparation of Bio pesticides/

pesticides Bot
Botanical
anical pesticides

(A) Plants and herbs of "Hamal Jhol - 1" and their quantity for the management of
underground insects

a) Leaves,
aves, shoots of marigold flower/
flower/mug wart//Asuro (justicia)/
(justicia) Neem
eem- 500 grams
gram
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 26

b) Mustard cake (mustard or Neem)

N - 1 kg

c) Ash - 500 grams

gram

d) Red chili (fresh or powder) - 50 grams

e) Onion - 200 grams

gram

f) Garlic - 200 grams

gram

g) Kerosene - 20 mls

h) Water - 7 liters

Crush or chop the above mentioned

materials to pieces and mix in water.
These bio
bio-pesticide/botanical
pesticide/botanical
pesticides can be stored for three
dayss, if it is kept in air-tight
air
container, or it should be sprayed/
used within 24 hours. Mix kerosene
at time of spray.
[Link].10.2.1.
[Link].10. 1. Farmers
Farmer preparing materials for
making Hamal Jhol

Source: JICA Project

Project Team

(B) Plants and herbs of "Hamal Jhol - 2" and their quantity for the management of
insects on plants

a) Justicia (Asuro) leaves - 1 kg

b) Mug wart - 1 kg

c) Crofton weed - 1 kg

d) Tallow tree - 1 kg

e) Screw pine - 1 kg

f) Nettle - 1 kg

g) Cattle urine - 5 liter

h) Water - 15 liter
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 27

Chop the materials mentioned above

into small pieces. Pour about 15 liters
of water in a plastic drum,
drum and dip the
materials into the drum with water.
Then, mix 5 liters of cattle urine and
keep the drum air tight. Keep the drum
out in the sun during day,
day and it can
also be kept back in room at night. If
the colour of the pesticide is dark [Link].10.2.
No.10.2.2 Farmers are preparing Hamal
brown and smells pungent when the lid Jhol–
–2
of drum is opened, the pesticide is
Source: JICA Project
roject Team
eam
ready for spray. Then, the bio-pesticide
bio pesticide
can be sprayed mixing 1 part of it to 3
- 4 parts of water filtering it through cotton cloth. It may take 20-35
20 35 days to be ready for
spray according to the m
month
onth and weather.

Hamal Jhol
Jhol-2 should be prepared at least 15 – 20 days earlier of cultivation so that the
bio--pesticide
pesticide can be used at crop developing stage or at time when there is more pests
attack on crop. If Hamal Jhol is urgently to be used, the above mentioned materials can be
boiled in water, then cooled down and used
immediately.

11. Harve
Harvesting
sting of Maize for Consumption

11.1 Time of harvesting

• Maize can be harvested according to the

purpose of use. In case, maize is harvesting
for food consumption, it can be started
harvesting from earlier to full maturation.
[Link].11.1 farmers harvesting maize for
11.2 Storage: Method of maize storage for
consumption
food consumption
Source: JICA Project Team
• Maize cob can be tied in bundles
bundles, and
placed by hanging under the roof of house with proper sun-light
sun light facilitation or making
bunch (Thankro
Thankro)) outside of house if many, but it should not be wet with rain.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 28

Fig. No. Maize stored making bundle under the roof

Source: JICA Project Team

11.3 Self-seed production method

(A) Time of harvesting

• The harvesting time starts after the heavy rainfall stop. When the husk becomes dry or
dark brownish color, seed should also be dried on the cob of standing plant in the field,
the maize should be harvested.

• Harvesting should be done in dry or no rainfall day.

• At time of harvesting, a black spot is seen in the bottom (side attached to the cob) of
seed. This black spot suggests it is ready for harvest.

Fig. No. 11.3.1 Pre-maturation stage i.e. not

Fig. No. 11.3.2 Full-maturation stage i.e.
proper time of harvesting for seed production
proper time of harvesting for Maize seed
Source: JICA Project Team production
Source: JICA Project Team
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 29

(B) Selection of site for seed harvesting

• The plants should be selected form the center of the field for getting
getting the cobs as seed
purpose due to less chance of out-
out-crossing.
(C) Selection of plants

• Select medium sized plant that

hat is neither short nor tall should be selected.
• The stalk should be healthy,
healthy and not infested with any pests and diseases.
• The cobs which are slightly bent
ben ((bend
bend forming 45º angle) in plant should be selected.
• First of all, the cobs should be harvest
harvested
ed for seed, and then other cobs.
(D) Selection of cobs

• Select cobs of equal size with thick hu

husks.
• Remove rotten cob, and the cob which are not completely covered with husk
husk.
• Remove the cobs with too big & too small kernels (seeds).
• Remove
emove the kernels from the top and bottom part of a cob for selecting uniform
kernels as seed.

Fig. No. 11.3.3 Methods of selecting Maize cobs for seed

Source: JICA Project Team
(E) Method of storage maize
maize for seed purpose

• Select the cob from hanging bundles and dry seeds for 2-3
2 times, and put in the plastic
bottles for safe storage of seeds.
see
• We can use two or three 2 plastic bottles for seed storing 600-700
700 gm
gm. seeds can be
stored per 2 liter plastic
plastic bottles.
bottles
• One gram (half spoon) of Bojho powder or Neem powder or mug wart powder, etc.
can be used in 1 bottle seeds for pest control
control..
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 30

Compost
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 31

PART 1: Farm Yard Manure (FYM)

1. Introduction

Generally Nepalese farmers have the practice of collecting FYM from their livestock shed
as an organic fertilizer for their crop fields.

Farm Yard Manure is the manure prepared in decomposed from by collecting dung and
urine of farm animals along with wastes feeds, fodder, and the bedding materials. FYM is
the main organic manure used in Nepal.

However, Nepalese farmers have the practice of applying immature (un-decomposed)

FYM in their field. Immature manure FYM can cause the generation of harmful gas
ammonia and wilting, and disturb for well germination of seeds. And, also the immature
(un-decomposed) manure does not improve soil conditioning capacity of increasing water
holding and fertilizer holding ability. Weed seeds can also survive inside manure and as a
result, weeds problems occur in the field.

Well decomposed FYM can solve many crop growth problems in the fields.

2. Advantages of Well Decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM)

2.1 Improvement of soil productivity

• Application of well decomposed FYM in soil act as a soil conditioner which is

capable of improving moisture holding, fertilizers holding and air passing capacity; as
well as it helps the capacity of drainage to soil in good balance. This type of soil is
very useful for good growth and development of plants.

• By the application of well decomposed FYM, some portions of nutrients are available
directly to the plants, and remaining nutrients in soil is released to plants for long time.

• The materials that soak urine should be used as bedding materials in animal shed
which can help to minimize the loss of urine. Otherwise, we can also make the urine
collecting place separately with plastic or cemented structure, and use urine as
fertilizers.

• By using well decomposed FYM in field, fewer amounts of chemical fertilizers are
also enough for crop, which can also save the money.

Table No. 2.1

Maize Farming Techniques Manual 32

Composition of FYM
Materials Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash (%)
(%) (%)
Paddy straw 0.42 0.20 0.45
Cow dung 0.71 0.70 0.74
Pig feces 1.35 1.94 1.05
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan 2000

2.2 Healthy for plants

• Well decomposed FYM is free from weed seeds; plant pathogenic Fungi, bacteria &
parasites.

• Around temperatures of 55 °C to 65 °C during decomposition, many microorganisms,

plant pathogenic fungi, bacteria and parasites are destroyed.

2.3 Good means of breakdown of organic matter

• FYM is the good means of breakdown of organic matter in simpler form

• During decomposition of FYM, high temperature inside is accelerated, which helps to

breakdown of structural molecules of bedding materials (straw, weed, grasses of feed,
etc.) into simpler nutrient form which can be easily uptake by plant after its
application.

3. Material Required for Making FYM

• Animal excreta: Dung, Urine

• Bedding materials: Straw, saw dust, dry leaves etc.

4. The Place for Making FYM

Place for collecting and making decomposed FYM should be as followings:

• The nearer place to animal shed

• Elevated & well drained place

• Place of easy care and observation

• It is recommended two places for the preparation of well decomposed FYM manure.
Therefore total two place should be selected as mentioned below:
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 33

First storage place

Second storage place

(A) First storage place

• Every day animal dung, urine and

bedding materials should be
collected on the surface near the
animal shed.

• Usually pits of 8 meters length x 2

meters wide x 1 meter depth
dimensions should be prep
prepared Fig. No. 4.1 Taking out Farm Yard Manure
nearby the animal shed, but the
Source: JICA Project Team
dimension may varies according to
the land availability and number of
animals.

• After putting the manure (Dung together with bedding materials) from animals
shed in first place up to 2 months, let it remain further up to 2 months without
putting other manures over it. And at that time of collecting the manure to be done
in the second storage place.

(B) Second storage place for preparation of decomposed FYM

• After 2 months of manure

collection in first place, use second
place to collect manures from
animal shed.

• Collect the manure in second place

daily up to 2 months as first one.
And, let it remain for next 2
months without collecting the Fig. No. 4.2 FYM with roofing

manures over that for further Source: JICA Project Team

decomposing.

• The size of second storage place can be varied according to the land availabilit
availability
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 34

• If possible, storage place for collecting manure should be walled and roofed with
stone, wood, or hay, which protects manure from direct sunlight and rain. It is
important to protect manure from sunlight and rain to protect micronutrients;
otherwise the micronutrients in the manure will be lost.

(C) Actual Procedure for collecting and using FYM

• The fresh dung together with bedding materials should be collected daily from
animal sheds to the first storage place up to 2 months properly, and let it remains
for next 2 month by covering it with dry leaves, straw or plastic sheet.

• After fulfilling the manure in first storage place, the manures should be collected
daily to the next storage place.

• Put the manure in next storage up to 2 months and cover it like as in first place,
and let it remains for next two months.

• The manure already becomes fermented in first place up to two months, when we
are collecting dung in second place. So, we can apply the manure from first place
to the field, and the first place will become empty and we can collect the dung
again on first place. This cycle continue on every two month period on first and
second places. This way, we can get well fermented FYM.

5. Condition Required for Well Decomposition of FYM

Well decomposition of manure is required for making good FYM. For making well
decomposed manure, the following things should be considered well during its
preparation:

• After piled up the fresh FYM, moisture content of the FYM should be managed 50-
65%. It can be known by squeezing the manure in palm of hand, if it is wet. If
moisture is less, water should be sprayed, and if moisture is high, the manures should
be dried in shadow by removing cover for 1-2 days.

• The fresh FYM temperature rises up to 70 degrees Celsius within 2 to 3 weeks (1

week in summer) after deposition, which is not good for well decomposition of FYM.
Therefore, we should be careful for turning over at every 60 ºC for two to three times.
It can be known by putting hand inside the manure and feel hot.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 35

• The manure has to be covered with a plastic sheet or straw or dried leaves or mud to
protect rain and direct sunlight.

• FYM will be ready to use from first place after 2 months of filling it.

6. Collection of Animal Urine and Its Advantages

6.1 Collection of urine

• Urine can also be collected and preserved for separate use or for mixing in manure
by following method:

The floor of cattle shed should be cemented to collect urine.

To collect the urine, cemented tank should be constructed at first, and then
urine could be collected in plastic tank.

By making a pit in a corner of the shed, urine can also be collected

Fig. No. 6.1.1 Cattle urine collect

collected by pipe Fig. No. 6.1.2 U
Urine
rine collected
collected through drain
Source: JICA Project Team
Source: JICA Project Team
6.2 Advantage of collecting urine

• The urine can be collected separately, and used as fertilizer since it has three times
more nitrogen than in dung.

• Urine also can be used to control the disease and pests in crops. This can be
sprayed in 5 to 7 days gap by mixing 1 part of urine with 4-5
4 5 parts of water.

• It also helps to reduce the application of chemical fertilizer and pesticide, which
leads to reducing
reducing production cost.

• Separate collection of urine will help to sanitize and dry animal shed.

• The urine can be used together with water as fertilizer.

Maize Farming Techniques Manual 36

7. Things to Be Considered While Making Farm Yard Manure (FYM)

• The FYM should not be dried under the sun to decrease its weight, which will
cause the loss of nutrients.

• The FYM should not be left on field in small heaps for long time as the nutrients
will be lost.

• Instead of leaving the FYM in individual heaps, it would be better 4 to 5 bamboo

baskets of manure
manure collection in one heap, and covered with straw, dried leaves,
plastic, etc., which will help to protect the nutrients.

Fig. No. 7.1 Manure dried in the sun Fig. No. 7.2 Small heap of manure in the

(Bad practice) field (Bad practice)

Source: JICA Project Team Source: JICA Project Team

Fig. No 7.3 Collection of 4-5

4 5 bamboo baskets

of F
FYM
YM in one place, and covered by dried leaves (Good practice)

Source: JICA Project Team

Maize Farming Techniques Manual 37

PART 2: Compost Manure

8. Introduction

• Compost manure can be prepared as alternative to FYM.

• Compost making is the best option for the farmers who don’t rear the animals or
cattle's with them.

• Compost manure is decomposed mixture of straws, grasses, fodder, ash, leaves and
other parts of trees, farm waste, kitchen waste and similar material, together with
dung if possible.

• Compost manure is generally prepared in pit or heap by making different layers of

raw materials covering with mud or plastic. One wooden stake or bamboo is put in the
middle for well development of bacteria and to be decomposed.

• The temperature inside the manure should be felt hot. While we put our hand inside
the manures, the temperature is up to 50-60 ºC at that time.

• Emulsifying concentrate (E. M.) should be sprayed in each layer of the grasses or
straw or other raw materials during the preparation of manure for quick
decomposition of the manure.

9. The Advantages of the Compost Manure

• It provides necessary nutrients to the soil for improving its fertility.

• Increases the water absorbing capacity of soil.

• Improves the physical, chemical and biological quality of soil.

• Increase air aeration and water movement in the soil.

• Manure can be kept in soil for long time.

• Increases the microbial activity in the soil; due to which soil become soft, and
increase fertility status in the soil.

• Compost manure can be prepared in own accessible places, so that it will be easy for
carrying manure in the field.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 38

10. The Materials Required for Making Compost Manure

• Waste straws and grasses.

• Weeds, leaves fallen from trees.

• Roots and stems of young plants.

• Dung and urine of animals.

• Organic kitchen product ( vegetable, food wastes)

• Limestone, ash, urea, etc.

11. The Place for Making Compost Manure

• The near place from farm.

• Elevated & well drained place

• Place of easy care and observation.

12. Methods of Preparing Compost Manure

12.1 Methods of preparing compost in pit

(A) Digging pit

• It is better to dig a pit on winter season than in summer season due to which the
chance of drying out of material is less.

• The length of the pit should be as per need, but depth should not be more than one
meter.

(B) Filling pit

• The collected raw materials for making compost manure should be kept arranging
in layers inside the pit.

• Wooden stick or a bamboo should be put in the middle of the pit during filling
materials inside the pit.

• Spraying water in each layer of compost during its preparation will help for
making good compost manure.

• It is better to make each layer up to15-20 cm (1 to 1.5 hand span).

Maize Farming Techniques Manual 39

• We can also use dried leaves, green fodder, dung, water (2-3 liter of water in each
layer), lime powder (100-200 gm. in each layer), E. M. liquid (Mixture of 1 liter
E.M. and 10-15 liter water, and spray nearly 1 liter in each layer) and forest soil
(2-3 kg. in each layer) between each layer which help to decompose the manure
well.

• E.M. liquid, Dung, Urine, lime powder is not mandatory, but it is better to apply
for producing well decomposed FYM.

• Lime powder preserves the manure from its acidity and increases the bacterial
activities. Likewise, forest soil increases the bacterial numbers.

• The use of dung and urine between the raw materials will increase the quality of
the compost.

• The raw materials should be forcefully pressed inside the pit so that it decays soon.

(C) Using bamboo or wood stake for manure ventilation

• During the winter and dry summer, the compost should be prepared by pit method
due to which the moisture can be preserved inside the pit.

• In case the temperature inside the compost become so much hot (over than 70 ºC),
bacteria cannot be survived and that will damage the compost, which will give the
less quality of compost. Therefore, to maintain the temperature only up to 60 ºC,
bamboo or wooden stake should be put during the time of compost preparation.

• The bamboo or wooden stake should be swing or stirred round by hand in every
week for maintaining the temperature and passing air inside the manure, which
will give well decomposed compost manure after 3-4 month.

(D) Covering by mud or plastic

• After filling up the materials the pit should be covered with mud.

• Covering the pit with mud stops the spread of bad smell and preserves manure
from rain, direct sun-light and from nutrient loss.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 40

Methods of producing compost by digging pit have been presented as followings:

Fig. No. 12.1.1 Digging a pit

p for preparing Fig. No. 12.1.2 Taking out soil from pit
Compost Manure

Fig. No. 12.1.3 Pit ready for putting compost Fig. No. 12.1.4 Putting raw materials for
making materials compost making

Fig. No. 12.1.5 Pressing the raw materials Fig. No. 12.1.6 Sprayi
Spraying
ng the water for
with staking in the middle part to prepare compost making
manure
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 41

Fig. No 12.1.7 Covering with plastic to Fig. No. 12.1.8 Observing well
decompose the
the materials for compost decomposed
omposed compost manure
manure

Fig. No. 12.1.9 Observing the condition of Fig. No 12.1.10 Farmer applying well
manure while turn-over
turn over of compost decomposed compost manure in rows
Source: JICA Project Team
T

12.2 Heap method

(A) Methods
thods of making compost in heap

• Compost manure also can be produced by making heap on earth surface without
digging a pit. The heap method of compost making is done in rainy season due to
which the manure cannot be damaged by excessive moisture.

• It is better to make a heap in slightly elevated, and drainage facilitated site.

• This method of making compost is better in the area where shortage of labor and
time.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 42

(B) Methods of making heaps on earth su

surface
rface to produce compost manure

The following methods

methods should be applied for making the compost by heap method:

• Put fodder, weeds, grasses, straws, hey and leaves on earth surface in different
layer by making heap.

• Make the different layers of straw, leaves, branches, fodders or grasses by putting
dung or lime
lime or soil in between each layer, and spray water together with E.M.
liquid.

• The materials in heap should be tightly pressed so that it gets decomposed earlier.

(C) Use of wooden or Bamboo fr

frame for
making compost on heap

• Heaps of material can be put inside the

wooden frame or covering around by
wooden stakes or bamboo stakes.

• The wooden or bamboo frame can be

made as per desire, but the height should
Fig. No. 12.2.1 Wooden or bamboo
be 1-1.3
1.3 meter height.
frame for making compost by heap
method

(D) Turn-over
over in heap method for Source: JICA Project Team
compost making

• Generally, the turn-over

turn over of compost should be done when the temperature inside
the compost is 60-65
60 65 ºC, which is identified by feeling very hot while we put hand
up to 20 cm inside the compost.

• In case the temperature inside the compost become so much hot (over than 70 ºC),
bacteria cannot be survived, and that will damage the compost, which will give
the less quality compost. Therefore turn
turn-over
over should be done on
on-time.

• Making another frame near the main frame will help to exchange the manure for
controlling the excessive heat inside the compost, and for turnover of compost for
controlling
obtaining well decomposed manure.
Maize Farming Techniques Manual 43

(E) The timing of turn-over

• Compost manure should be turned over when its temperature becomes near 60 ºC,
which can be identified by putting your hand inside, and feels very hot. Thus,
temperature should be checked every week.

13. Identifying the Well Decomposed Compost & FYM

• The manure is decayed and appears black.

• The used materials loses its original form, and cannot be distinguished

• The manure does not stick in hand.

• The bad smell of manure is less.

Maize Farming Techniques Manual 44

References

Agriculture Information and Communication Center, 2016. Agriculture Diary.

Hariharbhawan, Kathmandu.

Joyce A. et al., n.d. Protien Composition of Dent, waxy and high amylose corns (Retrieved
from [Link]/publication/backissues/1967/documents/[Link].

Karki, TB et al., 2014. Studies on the conservation agriculture based practices under maize
(zea mays L ) based system in the hills of Nepal . International Journal of Applied
Science and biotechnology, vol- 2 (2).

Manandhar, Chaudhari, Paudel, Degal and [Link] Seed Production Technology.

Nepal Agriculture Research Council Regional Research Council. Tarahara, Sunsari.

National Seed Committee, [Link] Crop Species Grown in Nepal. National Seed
Committee, Hahriharbhawan.

Paudel, Adhikari. Problems in Maize Production in Nepal and Research Priority.

Kathmandu: National Agriculture Research Centre.

Pokhrel, Sapkota. Community Maize Seed Technology (in Hilly and mountain region). Crop
Science Division.