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Jun 25, 2026
by Pankaj Sihag
Makka Fertiliser Schedule: Exactly When to Apply Urea, DAP and Zinc for Maximum Cob Size
Many farmers know makka needs urea and DAP. But many lose yield because they apply them at the wrong time.
Giving the right fertiliser at the wrong stage wastes money and can affect bhutta or cob size and grain filling. A simple makka fertiliser schedule helps the crop get nutrients when it needs them most.
If you miss the important stages, the crop may look green but the cobs, which are the thick central part of the bhutta where the grains grow, stay thin or half-filled.
For one acre of kharif hybrid makka or maize under irrigated conditions, experts recommend these nutrient targets:
These are the makka NPK dose per bigha India figures most useful for farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana. One bigha is roughly 0.4 acres in many parts of North India.
Here is the full makka basal dose vs top dressing guide across the kharif season. These four timings often decide whether the cob fills properly or stays thin:
At sowing, apply these fertilisers into the soil during the last ploughing or place them below the seed line:
This basal dose helps build:
This is the most critical makka top dressing urea stage.
At this stage, the plant grows fast and starts preparing for cob formation. This is when the crop needs the most nitrogen for fast stalk growth and cob formation.
Apply: 40–45 kg urea per acre
Apply it:
If the soil is dry, irrigate immediately after applying. Urea on dry soil often turns to gas and is lost.
Missing this stage or delaying it beyond 40 days often leads to smaller cobs.
This is when the top flowers (tassels) come out and the bhutta threads (silk) start showing.
This stage is important because it supports:
Apply: 40–45 kg urea per acre
Spread it between rows and irrigate if there has been no rain in the last few days.
If you want to split potash instead of giving all of it at sowing, apply half at sowing and the rest at flowering.
Apply: 12–13 kg potash (MOP)
Potash helps improve grain filling and keeps tall plants from falling.
Zinc shortage is common in many fields. The makka zinc deficiency treatment India farmers need starts with spotting the problem early.
Look for these signs in the first 2–3 weeks:
To fix it: At Sowing Apply 10 kg zinc sulphate per acre
Mix:
Spray 2 times with a gap of 7 days.
Timing matters as much as quantity in makka.
For one acre:
At sowing (approx.): 50 kg DAP + 25 kg MOP + 20–25 kg urea + 10 kg zinc sulphate (if needed)
At 30–35 DAYS (knee-high): 40–45 kg urea
This is the most important top dressing for cob size.
At 60–65 DAS (flowering): 40–45 kg urea
Supports grain set and grain weight.
Total urea: 100–110 kg across three splits.
A good makka fertiliser schedule works like this: DAP and potash at sowing, urea split across three stages, and zinc on deficient soils.
The work is simple, but the timing matters. If you get the timing right, the crop usually pays you back with better cob weight and grain filling.
Apply the knee-high dose on time. That one step does more for makka yield than almost anything else during the season.
Once your crop is harvested and dried, check the live makka mandi bhav on KhetiKisaan before loading your tractor.
Yes. Rain-fed makka usually needs less urea than irrigated makka. Farmers should apply around 60–80 kg urea per acre and only when there is enough soil moisture. Applying fertiliser on dry soil often wastes it.
This often happens when too much urea is given early, but the later doses are missed. Poor potash or moisture stress during flowering can also reduce bhutta filling.
Yes. Too much urea can make the crop too leafy, weak, and more prone to pests. It can also delay maturity and reduce proper grain filling.
Not always. But if your field has shown yellow stripes, uneven growth, or zinc problems before, applying zinc at sowing is usually safer.
Early morning or late evening is better. Avoid the hottest part of the day because some nitrogen can be lost faster.
Yes. Well-rotted gobar improves soil strength and helps the crop use fertilisers better. Many farmers use it before sowing along with basal fertilisers.
