Mid -Term Report

Research title:" varietal characterization of different hybrid variety of maize in

Lamjung, Nepal"

Prepared by:

Pappu Kumar Sah

CNRM, Sindhuli

Agriculture and Forestry University

Agri-intern, AKC, Lamjung

Mail id: [email protected]

Contact number: 9805946595

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 Advisory Committee

Major supervisor: site supervisor:

Ankit Raj Ojha Sudip khatiwada

Asst. Professor senior agriculture officer

Department of genetics and plant breeding AKC, Lamjung

Agriculture and Forestry University

General Content

Research title: “Varietal characterization of different hybrid varieties of maize in

Lamjung, Nepal"

Title of POP: मकैमा ऱागने मूख्य- मूख्य ककरा, रोग तथा ततनका व्यबसथापन

LEE site: Agriculture knowledge center Besishahar, Lamjung.

Experimental site: Sundar bazzar-09, Siudiwar.

Duration of research: Math 2078 to Ashad 2079

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Contents
Acronyms and Abbreviation: ...................................................................................................................... 6
Executive Proposal Summary ...................................................................................................................... 7
1. Introduction: ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Background information: .................................................................................................................... 9
Statement of problem....................................................................................................................... 11
Rationale of the study: ...................................................................................................................... 11
Objectives: ........................................................................................................................................ 12
General objective: ......................................................................................................................... 12
Specific objective: ......................................................................................................................... 12
Scope and limitation of the study: .................................................................................................... 13
Scope of study: .............................................................................................................................. 13
Limitation of study: ....................................................................................................................... 13
2. Literature Review ................................................................................................................................. 13
2.1) Literature Review....................................................................................................................... 13
2.1.1.) Effect Of Variety: .............................................................................................................. 16
3) Conceptual Framework......................................................................................................................... 17
4. Materials and methods (Methodology): ............................................................................................... 17
4.1.) Site Selection: .......................................................................................................................... 17
4.2.) Experimental Setup: ................................................................................................................. 18
4.3) Plot design ................................................................................................................................. 18
4.4) ANOVA ....................................................................................................................................... 19
4.5) Detailed of the operation: ......................................................................................................... 19
4.5.1. Field preparation:................................................................................................................ 19
4.5.2. Manure and fertilizer application ........................................................................................ 19
4.5.3. Seed sowing: ....................................................................................................................... 20
4.5.4. Irrigation schedule: ............................................................................................................. 20
4.5.5 Weeding and earthling up: .................................................................................................. 20
4.5.6. Plant protection: ................................................................................................................. 20
3.5.7 Harvesting and threshing: .................................................................................................... 20
4.5) DETAILED OBSERVATIONS TO BE TAKEN: .................................................................................. 21
4.5.1.) Weather data during the crop season ............................................................................... 21

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 4.5.2) Soil sampling and analysis of initial fertility status of soil ................................................. 21
4.5.3. Phenological Observation: .................................................................................................. 21
4.5.4. Biometric observation ......................................................................................................... 22
Plant height: .................................................................................................................................. 23
4.5.5.) Yield attributing characters.................................................................................................... 23
Number of harvested ears: ............................................................................................................ 23
Ear length and circumference: ...................................................................................................... 23
Number of kernels (grains) rows per ear: ..................................................................................... 23
Numbers of grain per row: ............................................................................................................ 23
Thousand Grain Weight (TGW) or Test weight: .......................................................................... 23
Shelling percentage: ...................................................................................................................... 24
Grain moisture content (%):.......................................................................................................... 24
Grain yield: .................................................................................................................................... 24
Calculate production per plot then convert on hector basis at 13 % moisture............................ 24
4.5.6.) Economic analysis: ................................................................................................................ 24
Cost of cultivation: ........................................................................................................................ 24
Gross return................................................................................................................................... 24
Net return ...................................................................................................................................... 24
B: C ratio:...................................................................................................................................... 25
Data analysis technique: ............................................................................................................... 25
5. Sub-sector Potential Research Intervention for Action research / Survey research / Case study: ...... 25
6. Gantt chart: ........................................................................................................................................... 25
7) Expected Outcomes: ............................................................................................................................. 26
8). Major activities conducted till this period: .......................................................................................... 26
9). Major problems encountered during this period: ............................................................................... 27
10). Major activities to be carried out in the future: ................................................................................ 27
REFERENCES: ........................................................................................................................................ 28

List of table:

Table 1 Area and production of major cereal crops of Nepal………………………………14

Table 2 PRODUCTION STATUS OF MAJOR CEREAL CROPS BY PROVINCE………14

Table 3 ANOVA table……………………………………………………………………….19

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List of figures:

Figure 1.Conceptual framework……………………………………………………………17

Figure 2.Site location………………………………………………………………………17

Figure 3.Field layout………………………………………………………………………..18

Figure 4.Gantt chart…………………………………………………………………………25

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Acronyms and Abbreviation:
ADS: Agriculture Development Strategy
AFU: - Agriculture and Forestry University
AKC: - Agriculture Knowledge Center
APP: Agriculture Perspective Plan
CBS: - Central Bureau of Statistics
CIMMYT: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
CNRM: College Of Natural Resource and Management
DAP: Di-ammonium phosphate
DADO: - District Agriculture Development Office
FGD: Focus Group Discussion
FY: Fiscal Year
Ha: Hectare
Kg: - Kilogram
KIS: Key Informant Survey
LEE: Learning for Entrepreneurial Experience
MOAC: Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives
MOAD: - Ministry of Agriculture Development
MOF: Ministry of Finance
MOP: Murate of potash
MS-Excel: Microsoft Excel
Mt: - Metric Ton
NARC: Nepal Agriculture Research Council
NFEA: National Feed Establishment Association
NRs: Nepali Rupees
NMRP: National Maize Research Program
NSCOA: National Sample Census of Agriculture
PMAMP: Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project
Qt: Quintal
SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Sciences
VDC: Village Development Committee

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Executive Proposal Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the world’s widely grown cereal and primary staple food in many
developing countries. Maize is the second most important crop in Nepalese agriculture after
rice in terms of area. The total Area, production and yield of maize have been reported
957650ha, 2835674Mt and 2.96Mt/ha respectively in Nepal (MOAD2076/77). The
production of maize in Gandaki province is 617760 Mt. The Area, production and
productivity of maize in Lamjung district is 10098ha, 26397 Mt and 2.61Mt/ha respectively
(MOAD, 2076/77).

The results showed that grain yield and yield attributing traits of hybrid maize varieties
increased with the increasing level of nitrogen from 160 to 220 kg/ha (Adhikari, 2021). Lack
of high yielding genotypes suitable for agro-climatic condition, inadequate variety in the
existing system, lack of improved seeds and lack of agricultural inputs like irrigation,
fertilizers etc. have always been associated with low productivity of maize in mid-hill of
Nepal.

Yield level of open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) could not be increased from a certain level
even if high inputs are given because of limited yield potentiality of OPVs as its potentiality
already reached in plateau. Hybrids can give 25-30% higher grain yield as compared to
better OPVs whereas there is huge demand of maize for food grain as well as feed
ingredients.

It is important to consider that the reasons behind low production and productivity of maize
in Nepal are mainly due to limited hybrid choices and low access to improved seeds of
released/registered hybrids developed by national system. Similarly, biotic stresses such as
northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot (Subedi, 2015).

The national average yield is 2.96Mt/ha but yield of Lamjung district is 2.61Mt/ha. Yield
level of open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) could not be increased from a certain level even if
high inputs are given because of limited yield potentiality of OPVs as its potentiality already
reached in plateau. Hybrids can give 25-30% higher grain yield as compared to better OPVs
whereas there is huge demand of maize for food grain as well as feed ingredients.

Compare and characterized the different hybrid variety of maize in Lamjung, Nepal.
Research is to be conducted at Siudiwar, Sundarbazar Municipality-09 Lamjung lies on the

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geographical coordinates of 28.136˚0r 28°8'10''N, 84.4331˚or 84°25'59''E. which is 857m
above sea level. Data analysis is done by using Ms-exel and R-studio. The expected outcomes
are different hybrid varieties show different yield in spring season, the hybrid varieties may
give higher yield in environmental condition of Lamjung, Different varieties show different
performance in same environmental condition, better performing high yielding hybrid variety
is identified.

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 1. Introduction:

Background information:
 Maize (zea mays) is a tall, determinate, annual C4 plant varying in height from <1
to >4 meters producing large, narrow, opposing leaves, borne alternately along the
length of a solid stem.
 Maize is queen of cereal crops.

 Maize is the second most important crop in Nepalese agriculture after rice in terms
of area.

 The total Area, production and yield of maize have been reported 957650ha,
2835674Mt and 2.96Mt/ha respectively in Nepal (MOAD2076/77).

 The production of maize in Gandaki province is 617760 Mt.

 The Area, production and productivity of maize in Lamjung district is 10098ha,

26397 Mt and 2.61Mt/ha respectively (MOAD, 2076/77).

 Maize occupies about 28.15% of the total cultivated agricultural land and shares
about 24.83% of the total cereal production in Nepal. It shares about 6.88% to
Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (MOAC, 2006/07).

 In fiscal year 2020/21, maize crop has been planted in 959,655 hectares of land. The
area under maize crop has increased by 0.21 percent this year.

 Maize production and productivity are estimated to have increased by 3.22percent

and 3.0 percent, respectively (Ministry of finance, 2020/21).

 The present yield of maize in Nepal is quite lower than that of other Asian
countries. Maize is emerging as an industrial crop in accessible areas of Nepal as
corn oil, animal feed ingredients, glucose, cornflakes several production factors are
responsible for the lower yield of maize such as poor weed management, declining
soil fertility, low adoption of high yielding varieties, limited irrigation facility, poor
quality seed, insect pests and disease (B.R., 2004).

 The proportion of maize area consists of 70% in mid hills followed by 22% in Terai
and 8% in high hills (Pathik, 2002).

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  Lack of high yielding genotypes suitable for agro-climatic condition, inadequate
variety in the existing system, lack of improved seeds and lack of agricultural inputs
like irrigation, fertilizers etc. have always been associated with low productivity of
maize in mid-hill of Nepal.

 The results showed that grain yield and yield attributing traits of hybrid maize
varieties increased with the increasing level of nitrogen from 160 to 220 kg/ha
(Adhikari, 2021).

 The annual seed replacement rate (SRR) of maize is about 17.83% (Memoire, 2017
june 12-17).Nearly, 12-15% area is covered by hybrids, and 85-88% by open-
pollinated varieties (improved, or farmers’ varieties). It is believed that there is less
scope for increasing maize production and productivity through area expansion,
thus aggressive intervention of hybrid maize technology in Terai and potential
pockets of mid- hills could be one of the potential options to tackle with the
situation.

 It is important to consider that the reasons behind low production and productivity
of maize in Nepal are mainly due to limited hybrid choices and low access to
improved seeds of released/registered hybrids developed by national system.
Similarly, biotic stresses such as northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot (Subedi, 2015),
stem borer, and fall army worm and abiotic stresses (high and low temperature,
drought and water logging) are some of the other important constraints for
increased maize production in Nepal.

 Yield level of open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) could not be increased from a

certain level even if high inputs are given because of limited yield potentiality of
OPVs as its potentiality already reached in plateau.

 Hybrids can give 25-30% higher grain yield as compared to better OPVs whereas
there is huge demand of maize for food grain as well as feed ingredients.

 It is estimated that requirement of yellow kernel maize for poultry feed is 391,538 t
and only 25% of this requirement is fulfilled by domestic production and rest is
imported from abroad. ADS (2014) and National Seed Vision (NSV) 2013
anticipated towards development and promotion of high yielding hybrids to boost
maize production and productivity both from public and private sectors.

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  NSV (2013) envisaged the development and promotion of 12 and 5 maize hybrids
by public and private sector, respectively by the end of 2025 to fulfill the increasing
demand and visualizes as an import substitution measure. Under this context set of
experiments were done across the NARC/ARS sites with the objective to identify
the potential hybrids suitable for Terai and Inner Terai regions of Nepal.
 Siundibar, Sundarbazar Municipality-09 Lamjung lies on the geographical
coordinates of 28.136˚0r 28°8'10''N, 84.4331˚or 84°25'59''E. which is 857m above
sea level. It lies in mid-hill district of Nepal. The district consists of sub-tropical to
alpine climate. The research site lies in upper tropical zone of the district.

Statement of problem
• Even though, there are high potential uses and export demand, the productivity of
maize in farmers field is low (2.45 ton ha-1) as compared to the national average
productivity of 5.7 ton ha-1in Nepal (MOAD, 2014; KC et al., 2015).

• Despite the great potential of maize farming, production is low and substantial
amount of maize is imported every year.

• The farm level yield of maize (2.45 t/ha) is not satisfactory as compared to attainable
yield (5.7 t/ha) in Nepal (MOAD, 2014; KC et al., 2015).

• Information regarding site specific variety during spring season with recently
introduced hybrids are lacking in Nepal particularly in Lamjung.

• The national average yield is 2.96Mt/ha but yield of Lamjung district is 2.61Mt/ha.

• It is estimated that requirement of yellow kernel maize for poultry feed is 391,538 t
and only 25% of this requirement is fulfilled by domestic production and rest is
imported from abroad.

Rationale of the study:

 It is important to consider that the reasons behind low production and productivity of
maize in Nepal are mainly due to limited hybrid choices and low access to improved
seeds of released/registered hybrids developed by national system.
 The research is mainly focused on providing information to the farmers of Lamjung
about the high yielding site specific hybrid varieties of spring maize which will help
them to increase the productivity of the spring maize. This Research will help the

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 farmers around the mid-hill Lamjung. Therefore, the present investigation will be
carried out to provide better high yielding varieties of Maize to farmers around the
Lamjung.

 Yield level of open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) could not be increased from a certain
level even if high inputs are given because of limited yield potentiality of OPVs as its
potentiality already reached in plateau.

 Hybrids can give 25-30% higher grain yield as compared to better OPVs whereas
there is huge demand of maize for food grain as well as feed ingredients.

 Lack of high yielding genotypes suitable for agro-climatic condition, inadequate

variety in the existing system, lack of improved seeds and lack of agricultural inputs
like irrigation, fertilizers etc. have always been associated with low productivity of
maize in mid-hill of Nepal.

 Comparative study of different hybrid variety of maize in Lamjung environmental

condition.

Objectives:

General objective:
 To compare and characterized the different hybrid variety of maize in Lamjung,
Nepal.

Specific objective:
• To study about the growth and morphology of different hybrids variety of maize in
spring season at Lamjung.

• To identify the better performing high yielding hybrid varieties of spring maize in
Lamjung.

• To characterized the different hybrid variety of maize available.

• To be able to suggest the farmer to grow the best hybrid variety at Lamjung.

• To show the effect of hybrid variety on yield of maize.

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Scope and limitation of the study:

Scope of study:
 This study help find out the morphological characteristics of various hybrid varieties
of maize in Lamjung district of Nepal.
 The outcome of the research is highly useful for understanding the different between
various hybrid varieties of maize.
 The yield evaluation and reproductive trait of various hybrid varieties can be known,
 It is also beneficial for the AKC and assist farmers in the variety selection.

Limitation of study:
 The study covers the small area so the generalization of the information may not be
appropriate for whole district.
 Limitation of time.
 Limitation of budget.

2. Literature Review

2.1) Literature Review

 Maize is the second most important crop after rice in terms of area (957650 ha) and
production (2835674Mt) with yield 2.96Mt/ha in Nepal (MOAD, 2076/77). It is a
way of life for the hill farmers of Nepal. 60%, 25% and 3% of the grain were used for
animal feed, food and seed respectively in hill districts (Timsina et. al. 2016) whereas
more than 80%Terai production is being utilized for poultry and animal feed and
remaining 20% is used as industrial (10%) (Gurung et.al. 2011).
 Maize demand has been constantly growing by about 5% annually in the last decades
(Sapkota and Pokhrel, 2010). The feed demand is also increasing at the rate of 11%
per annum (CDD, 2011).
 There is a need of about 6.46 million Mt. feed to run smoothly the existing poultry
industries in Nepal, and about 0.5 million Mt. of feed has been produced annually by
the feed industries in Nepal (114, registered in NFEA). Thus, the demand for maize is
also shifting from food to feed for livestock (8.5%) and poultry (13%) (Timsina
et.al.2016).
 Maize contributes approximately 65% of the metabolisable energy and 20% of the
protein in a broiler starter diet and is by far the most commonly used cereal grain in

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 the diets of intensively reared poultry. One reason for the widespread use of maize in
the diets of farmed livestock is that there is a perception that maize is of a consistent
and high nutritional value (Cowsien et. al., 2005).

Area and production of major cereal crops of Nepal

Area in hector and production in metric

ton
Cereal crops 2074/2075(2017/2018A.D.) 2075/2076(2018/2019A.D.) 2076/2077(2019/2020A.D.)
Area Production Area Production Area Production
Paddy 1,469,545 5,151,925 1,491,744 5,610,011 1,458,915 5,550,878

Maize 954,158 2,555,847 956,447 2,713,635 957,650 2,835,674

Wheat 706,843 1,949,001 703,992 2,005,665 707,505 2,185,289
Millet 263,497 313,987 263,261 314,225 262,547 320,953
Buckwheat 10,296 11,472 10,311 11,464 10,369 11,724
Barley 24,648 30,510 24,409 30,550 24,404 31,147
Total 3,428,986 10,012,742 3,450,163 10,685,550 3,421,389 10,935,664

(MOAD, Area and Production of major cereal crops, 2076/2077)

PRODUCTION STATUS OF MAJOR CEREAL CROPS BY PROVINCE
Province Paddy Maize Wheat Millet Barley Buckwheat Total
1 1,245,545 867,718 176,707 95,200 1,840 2,959 2,389,970
Madhesh 1,420,436 175,641 601,709 1,641 214 - 2,199,642
Bagmati 510,200 617,760 168,429 69,676 2,489 2,698 1,371,251
Gandaki 408,737 433,560 99,401 2,669 106,137 2,633 1,053,137
Lumbini 1,185,493 398,462 508,459 11,783 3,374 1,068 2,108,639
Karnali 134,407 225,237 196,297 20,403 13,595 2,219 592,158
Sudurpachhim 646,059 117,296 434,288 16,112 6,966 147 1,220,867
Nepal 646,059 117,296 434,288 16,112 6,966 147 1,220,867
(MOAD, Production Status ofMajor Cereal Crops by Province, 2076/2077)

 In Lamjung Area, production and productivity of maize is 10,098ha, 26,397Mt and

2.61Mt/ha respectively (MOAD, Area, Production and Productivity, 2076/2077).

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  Feed industry has tremendous demand of maize. Out of total maize that was used in
feed production, 87% of the maize was imported from India each year by feed
industries (Timsinaet.al. 2016).
 At least 1.5 million tons of maize is required only to the feed industries affiliated
with national feed industry association of Nepal (MOAD, 2014).
 Maize is mainly consumed in the form of grits like as rice, bread as chapatti prepared
from the flour and processed products like confectionaries (Gurung et. al., 2011).
 The application of high dose of N (180 kg N /ha) could help increase hybrid maize
grain production in the acidic soils of Chitwan valley (Adhikary, B., & Adhikary, R.,
2013).
 Hybrid maize is suitable for higher production and has higher potential than OPVs in
the Terai. (Ghimire S.Sherchan DP, 2016)
 It is estimated that for the next two decades the overall demand of maize will be
increased by 4% -8% per annum resulting from the increased demand for food. Such
increase in demand must be met by increasing the productivity of maize per unit of
land (poudyal and pingali, 2001).The results showed that grain yield and yield
attributing traits of hybrid maize varieties increased with the increasing level of
nitrogen from 160 to 220 kg/ha (Adhikari, 2021).
 The genetic diversity was observed in inbred lines differences for grain yield and
anthesis silking interval, SPAD reading and leaf senescence, tassel blast and leaf
firing percentage, plant and ear height, leaf area index, ear per plant, cob length and
diameter, number kernel per ear, number of kernel row per ear, number kernel row,
silk receptivity, shelling percentage, thousand kernel weight under heat stress
condition (S.K.G., 2017).
 The Early maize genotypes showed considerable variation in grain yield (Bishal
Dhakal, 2017).
 There is a huge gap between the actual (2.67 t ha-1) and potential yield (6.5 t ha-1) of
maize at farmers’ level (Koirala, 2014).
 It is important to consider that the reasons behind low production and productivity of
maize in Nepal are mainly due to limited hybrid choices and low access to improved
seeds of released/registered hybrids developed by national system. Similarly, biotic
stresses such as northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot (Subedi, 2015).

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2.1.1.) Effect Of Variety:
Nearly half the area under maize is planted with traditional varieties home saved seeds, which
are continuously at the risk of degenerating (due to open pollination) (Koirala, 2001).
Generally, early hybrids require higher plant densities for maximum yield than late hybrids
(SILVA, 1992; TOLLENAAR, 1992). This occurs because early hybrids are normally
smaller, produce less leaves, have lower leaf area per plant and present fewer self-shading
problems than late cultivars. Therefore, for early hybrids it is necessary to have a greater
number of plants per area to generate the leaf area index that provides maximum interception
of solar radiation, an essential step to maximize grain yield. The season length in any
particular geographic location is a factor that interacts with cultivar maturity, affecting the
optimum rate of planting for maximum yield (OLSON & SANDERS, 1988)
The statistically analyzed results revealed that the effect of cultivation practice and their
interaction effect on grain yield were found non-significant but the responses of the variety
were found highly significant difference on grain yield (Dawadi and Sah, 2012).
Hybrid maize is suitable for higher production and has higher potential than OPVs in the
Terai (Ghimire S., 2016). It is important to consider that the reasons behind low production
and productivity of maize in Nepal are mainly due to limited hybrid choices and low access
to improved seeds of released/registered hybrids developed by national system. Similarly,
biotic stresses such as northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot (Subedi, 2015).

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3) Conceptual Framework
• Awarness
• Economic status
• Age
• Sex
social factor • Traditional cultivation practice

• use of modern technology

• use of hybrid variety
Technology

• characterization of different hybrid variety of maize.

• Ten different hybrid variety from NMRC rampur.
variety

• Increase in yield
• Able to suggest the farmer site specific hybrid variety
impact

• climate
• Budget
• Unavailability of labour.
problem • political
• tranportation

4. Materials and methods (Methodology):

4.1.) Site Selection:

Research is to be conducted at Siudiwar, Sundarbazar Municipality-09 Lamjung lies on the
geographical coordinates of 28.136˚0r 28°8'10''N, 84.4331˚or 84°25'59''E. which is 857m
above sea level. It lies in mid-hill district of Nepal. The district consists of sub-tropical to
alpine climate. The research site lies in upper tropical zone of the district.

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4.2.) Experimental Setup:
Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)
Treatments No.:-Ten
Replication: -Three
Net plot size: - 3×3=9m2
No. of rows in a plot:-4
Total experimental area:-270m2 the space between the replication is 1m and 1.5m .planting
is done in continuous basis.
Spacing: - 75×20 cm2
Variety: -
V1 (Rampur hybrid-14)), V2 (RML145/RL197), V3 (Rampur hybrid-10), V4 (CAH1511)
V5 (Rampur hybrid-16), V6 (CML491/CLWQHZN51), V7 (RML83/RML146)
V8 (Rampur hybrid-12), V9 (RML142/RML2), V10 (PVAEQH-1)

RDF: 180:60:40 kg NPK/ha (Adhikary, B., & Adhikary, R., 2013) .

4.3) Plot design

R1 R2 R3

T1 T7 T5
T2 T8 T8
T3 T5 T4
T4 T6 T1O
T5 T4 T2
T6 T9 T1

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T7 T1 T7
T8 T3 T3
T9 T2 T6
T10 T10 T9
T1=RAMPUR HYBRID-14, T2=RML145/RL197, T3=RAMPUR HYBRID-10,
T4=CAH1511, T5=RAMPUR HYBRID-16, T6=CML491/CLWQHZN51,
T7=RML83/RML146, T8=RAMPUR HYBRID-12, T9=RML145/RML2, T10=PVAEQH-1,

4.4) ANOVA
The ANOVA table for the RCBD with ten treatments and three replication will be as follows:

Source of variance D.F. S.S. M.S. F-calculated probability

0.05 0.01
Replication r-1=3-1
Treatment t-1=10-1
Error (r-1)(t-1)=2×9=18
Total tr-1=29

4.5) Detailed of the operation:

4.5.1. Field preparation:
The field was ploughed 15 days prior of seed sowing by using rotavator to bring the soil
under good tilth. Again, ploughing was done at the time of sowing and planking was done
after ploughing for leveling the land. After leveling, the clods were broken and weeds and
stubbles of the previous crop were removed.

4.5.2. Manure and fertilizer application

FYM was applied as main source of organic fertilizer in the field. The FYM

@10kg/plot area was applied in all experimental plots and it was uniformly incorporated into
the soil during the first land preparation.

 Sources of fertilizers

Urea, DAP and MOP

 RDF for nitrogen for hybrid maize is 180 kg/ha (Adhikary, B., & Adhikary, R.,
2013)

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  The recommended dose of 60 kg P 2 O 5 /ha and 40 kg K 2 O/ha was applied as basal
in all plots at the time of seed sowing (Krishi Diary,2078)

Fertilizer time application

20% dose of N was applied as basal dose from DAP.

30% N is top dressed at first weeding.

30% N during earthling up.

20% before flowering.

4.5.3. Seed sowing:

Line sowing of fungicide treated seed was done manually by using zab planter in

Spacing according to treatment.In each hill, two seed were sown at a depth of 5 cm.

4.5.4. Irrigation schedule:

While irrigating field, ridges was made around each plot. So, the chances of

nutrient mixing among different treatment would be minimized.

 First irrigation was given at knee high stage

 Second irrigation was given at tasselling stage

4.5.5 Weeding and earthling up:

 First weeding was done after 40 days of seed sowing.
 Earthling up and second weeding was done at 30 days after first weeding

4.5.6. Plant protection:

During the seedling and young stage fall armyworm infestation was seen.

For control of this insect All kill (Chlorpyriphos+ Cypermethrin) @ 1.5ml/lit of water was
sprayed also (Emamectin Benzoate)@5gm per 16 liter water was used.

3.5.7 Harvesting and threshing:

Harvesting was carried out manually. After removing the cobs, the cobs are sun dried for few
days. De-husking of cobs was done separately on the threshing floor. After shelling of grains,
seeds were carefully and separately dried by maintaining 12% moisture for further study

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4.5) DETAILED OBSERVATIONS TO BE TAKEN:

4.5.1.) Weather data during the crop season

Monthly average maximum temperature
Monthly average minimum temperature
Monthly average rainfall
Monthly average relative humidity
Monthly average solar radiation
These data will be recorded from nearest point of Agro Meteorological Data Recorder.

4.5.2) Soil sampling and analysis of initial fertility status of soil

Soil sample will be taken before sowing of the seeds from each replication and composite
sample will be made and analyzed for the initial fertility status of the soil. The soil samples
will be taken by posthole auger from 0 – 15 cm and 0 – 30 cm depth of soil layer. The
samples will be subjected to air drying under room condition, grounded and passed through
0.2 mm sieve for analysis of

 Organic matter content

 Organic carbon content
 Total N content
 Available P2O5
 K2O content
 PH

4.5.3. Phenological Observation:

Five plants will be tagged for taking phonological observations. The Phenological data will
be taken when 50% observation occurred and ended when 75% observation completed. The
Phenological observations will be recorded as,

Emergence:
Seed emergence will be recorded when about 50% of the seedling will have emerged out of
the soil.

Plant population/m2:
The plant population/m2 will be counted about 20 days after sowing.

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Days of tasseling:
The date of tasseling will be recorded from tassel emergence to 50% of plant will have
tasseled in each plot. The mid 3 rows will be taken for each Phenological observation.

Days of silking:
The date will be recorded from the initiation of silk to 50% silking in each plot. The silk
exposed 1cm from closed ear will be considered as emerged silk. The same rows as that of
tasseling records will be taken for days of silking.

Days to anthesis:
The date will be recorded when 50% plants have shedding pollen. The same rows are taken
for the data of days to anthesis.

Days of physiological maturity:

The appearance of black layer between ear surface and ear grains and occurrence of
senescence of ear husks will be considered as an indication to physiological maturity.

4.5.4. Biometric observation

Number of Leaf:
Number of leaf per plant will be counted from 5 randomly selected plants from each plot.

Leaf area index (LAI):

Leaf area will be measured from 5 randomly selected plants from each plot at 30 DAS, 45
DAS, 60 DAS, 75 DAS, 90 DAS, 105 DAS, and at maturity. Leaves from the plants will be
detached and leaf area will measured by leaf area meter. Then leaf area index will be
calculated as:

Leaf area (cm 2 )

LAI 
Land area (cm 2 )

OR,

Leaf area is measured from five randomly selected plants from each plot at knee-high, silking
and early dough stages. Area per leaf is calculated from all fully opened green leaves
(maximum leaf width × leaf length × 0.75). Total leaf area of a plant is calculated by adding
the leaf area of all the leaves of a plant.

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Plant height:
Plant height will be measured from the ground level to the top most visible due lap of five
randomly selected plants from each plot at 30 DAS, 45 DAS, 60 DAS, 75 DAS, 90 DAS, 105
DAS, and at maturity.

4.5.5.) Yield attributing characters

Number of harvested ears:

Total number of ears harvested from net harvestable area will be recorded as harvested ears
per plot and it is converted to hectare basis.

Ear length and circumference:

Ten dehusked ears will be selected from each plot randomly and length from the base up to
top grain bearing portion of each ear will measure. The average of five ears will be calculated
and expressed as ear length. The circumference of five randomly selected ears from each plot
will be measured and average value will express as ear circumference.

Number of kernels (grains) rows per ear:

Five randomly selected ears from each plot will be shelled and the entire kernels/grains row
will count. And will be reported as number of kernels row per ear.

Numbers of grain per row:

Numbers of grain counted in a row.

Thousand Grain Weight (TGW) or Test weight:

One thousand shelled maize grains from each plot will randomly be taken, weighed and
recorded as test weight and expressed in gram (g). The kernels used for test weight will be
corrected to 15% moisture content.

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Shelling percentage:

It is the ratio of grain to ear (grain: ear) and expressed in percentage. Five randomly selected
ears will be weighed with grains. All grains will be shelled out and the weight of grain will be
taken and the shelling percentage will calculated as:

Grain yield (kg)

Shelling percentage   100
Cob yield (kg)

Grain moisture content (%):

Five ears will be selected randomly and central two kernel rows will be shelled out and will
bulk the kernels from all ears and moisture will be measured by multigrain moisture meter.

Grain yield:
Calculate production per plot then convert on hector basis at 13 % moisture.

Grain yield will be also calculated on hectare basis by using following formulae:

FEW  SP  100 - GMC

Grain yield (Kg ha -1 ) 
NHA  85  10

Where,

FEW = filled ears weight (Kg) SP = shelling percentage (%)

GMC = grain moisture content at harvest (%) NHA = net harvested area (m2)

4.5.6.) Economic analysis:

Cost of cultivation:
Cost of cultivation will be calculated on the basis of local charges for different agro-inputs
viz., labor, fertilizer, herbicides, machines, and other necessary materials.

Gross return:

Economic yield (grain + stalk) will be converted into gross return (Rs/ha) on the basis of
local market prices of different commodities.

Net return
It will be calculated by deducting the cost of cultivation from the gross return.

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B: C ratio:
It will be calculated by following formula.

Benefit: Cost ratio = Gross return / Cost of cultivation (total cost)

Data analysis technique:

The obtain data arranged systemically.Various analytical software will be utilized for the
analysis of data obtained like MS-excel and R-studio version 3.4.8.

5. Sub-sector Potential Research Intervention for Action research / Survey

research / Case study:
A few possible beneficial researches that could be conducted in the target area are:

 Study on consumer preference for various maize varieties.

 Value chain and market analysis of maize in Lamjung.
 Farmer's knowledge and perception regarding Good Agriculture Practices.
 Status of technology adoption in maize cultivation.
 Status of pest, diseases and their control intervention in maize in Lamjung district.
 Survey and monitoring of different pest in Maize.
 Characterization of different OPVs.

6. Gantt chart:

Activities Magh Falgun Chaitra Baisakh Jesth Asadh

1)Literature review

2)Field survey, collection of soil

sample

3)Soil analysis

4)Land preparation and Layout of

research field

5)FYM, fertilizer application

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6)Seed and seed sowing

7)Intercultural operation

8)Data Record of growth

attributes

9)Observation of yield and yield

attributing characters

10)Harvesting

11)Calculation, Analysis and

Interpretation of Data start

7) Expected Outcomes:
 The different hybrid varieties show different yield in spring season.
 The hybrid varieties may give higher yield in environmental condition of Lamjung.
 Different varieties show different performance in same environmental condition.
 Better performing high yielding hybrid variety is identified.

8). Major activities conducted till this period:

 Preliminary study and literature reviews.
 Field visit and problem assessment.
 Finalize the topic and set the objectives for research.
 Proposal writing and submission.
 Prepare field layout and planting of maize seeds.
 Intercultural operation such as weeding, top dressing, spraying of insecticide.
 Write the Package of practices and submitted.
 Data entry of taken data from field.
 Participated in different trainings conducted by office and learnt to deal with farmers
and help them solve their problems.
 Field visit with site supervisor.

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  A good opportunity to understand about the current agriculture practices, rural
livelihood, farmers agriculture practices, rural livelihood, farmers experiences and
their socio-economic condition.

9). Major problems encountered during this period:

 Insufficient budget during the needed time.
 Farmer's unavailability due to Local level election.
 Rainfall before the monsoon season has limited the work.
 Unavailability of fertilizers required in research.
 Unavailability of labor at time.

10). Major activities to be carried out in the future:

 Final data recording.
 Data entry.
 Data analysis and interpretation.
 Manuscript writing.
 Final presentation of finding.
 Thesis publication.

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REFERENCES:
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prospects of maize research in Nepal. Journal of Maize Research and Development .

Adhikari, K. B. (2021). Effect of differentlevel of nitrogen on growth and yield of hybrid

maize(Zea mays L.) varieties. journal of agriculture and natural resource , 48-62.

Adhikary, B., & Adhikary, R. (2013). Enhancing effect of nitrogen on grain production of
hybrid maize in Chitwan valley. . Agronomy journal of Nepal, 3 , 33-41.

Bishal Dhakal, K. P. (2017). Evaluation of early maize genotypes for grain yield and
agromorphological traits. Journal of maize research and developement , 67-76.

Cowieson, A. (2005). Factors that affect the nutrational value of maize for broilers. Animal
Feeds Scienceand Technology, 119(3-4) , 293-305.

Diary, k. (2078). Area, production and productivity of maize. Nepal: Ministry of agriculture
and Livestock developement.

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G.P., K. (2002). Factors Affecting Maize Production, Productivity and trade in Nepal.

Ghimire S., S. D. (2016). comparision of yield of hybrid and opvs. Nepal.

Ghimire, S. S. (2016). Hybrid maize is suitable for higher producton and has higher potential
than OPVs in the Terai.

KC. (2014). Comparision of national average yield and farmers yield in Nepal. Nepal:
MOAD.

Koirala, K. B. (2014). Maize Research:Contributing to food security and improving the

livelihoods of the Nepalese people. Book of extended summaries, 12th Asian Maize
Conference and Expert Consultation on Maize for food, feed, nutrition and environmental
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Lumle, R. (n.d.). Maize Varietal Research carried out at RARS Lumle and its Command area.
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M., R. (2009). Influence of tillage and plant density on maize. American-Eurasian Journal of
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Maize production in mid-hills of Nepal:Maize production in mid hills of Nepal: from food to
feed security. (2016). Journal of Maize Research and Development, , 20-29.

Ministry of finance. (2020/21). Economy survey on area, production and productivity of

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MOAD. (2076/77). Area, production and yield of maize in Lumjung, Nepal. Nepal: Statistical
information on Nepalese agriculture.

MOAD. (2076/77). maize area, production and productivity. Nepal: Statistical agriculture
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MOAD. (2014). Statistical Information on Nepales Agriculture. Nepal: Ministry of

Agriculture developement.

MOAD. (2016). Statistical Information On Nepalese Agriculture. Nepal: MOAD.

Paudyal K.R., R. J. (2001). Maize in Nepal: Production Systems, Constraints, and Priorities
for Research. . Kathmandu: NARC and CIMMYT.

Pepo, P. a. (2013). Special agrotechnical crop models for Martonvasar maize gnotypes. 60
years of Humgarian Hybrid Maize , 55.

poudyal and pingali. (2001). Increase in demand and productivity. Nepal.

S.K.G., B. R. (2017). Analysis of genetic diversity among the maize inbred lines. journal of
maize research and developement , 86-97.

Sarvari, M. (2005). Impact of nutrient supply, sowing time and plant density on maize yields.
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