What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 1,993
- nutrients checked in each sample
- 12
This shows what soil in this area tends to be like. Your own field can be different. Get it tested at a soil testing lab before deciding.
Nutrient by nutrient
-
Nitrogen
OkayLow 49% Medium 50% High 1%
5 in 10 soil tests here came out low
If your field is low: add about a quarter more urea than the usual dose, in two or three splits. A pulse crop in rotation also adds nitrogen.
What this means
Grows leaves and stems. Short soil gives pale, yellow leaves.
Low under 280 kg/ha Medium 280–560 kg/ha High over 560 kg/haHealthy soil has 280 kg/ha or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Low Medium High Here 49% 50% 1% Soreng 43% 56% 1% Sikkim 33% 64% 4% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
GoodLow 6% Medium 16% High 78%
Most soil tests here came out high
If your field is high: you can use about a quarter less DAP than usual.
What this means
Builds roots and helps the crop flower and fill grain.
Low under 10 kg/ha Medium 10–25 kg/ha High over 25 kg/haHealthy soil has 10 kg/ha or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Low Medium High Here 6% 16% 78% Soreng 6% 18% 76% Sikkim 3% 27% 70% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 27% Medium 56% High 17%
3 in 10 soil tests here came out low
If your field is low: add about a quarter more potash (MOP) than the usual dose.
What this means
Fills grain and fruit, and helps crops stand drought and disease.
Low under 110 kg/ha Medium 110–280 kg/ha High over 280 kg/haHealthy soil has 110 kg/ha or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Low Medium High Here 27% 56% 17% Soreng 21% 54% 25% Sikkim 9% 61% 31% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
OkayLow 22% Medium 44% High 34%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out low
If your field is low: add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.
What this means
Shows how much organic matter the soil has. It keeps soil loose, holds water and feeds the crop slowly.
Low under 0.5% Medium 0.5–0.75% High over 0.75%Healthy soil has 0.5% or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Low Medium High Here 22% 44% 34% Soreng 29% 41% 31% Sikkim 15% 29% 56% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
PoorAcidic 91% Neutral 9%
9 in 10 soil tests here came out acidic
If your field is acidic: add agricultural lime before sowing. A soil lab works out how much your field needs.
What this means
How sour (acidic) or alkaline the soil is. It decides which nutrients roots can take up.
Acidic Neutral AlkalineMost crops do best at pH 6.5 to 7.5.
Compared with the wider area Place Acidic Neutral Alkaline Here 91% 9% 0% Soreng 88% 12% 0% Sikkim 49% 51% 0% India 12% 86% 2% -
Salt
GoodNot salty 98% Salty 2%
Almost no soil tests here came out salty
What this means
Salt in the soil, shown as EC on the card. Salt makes it hard for roots to drink.
Not salty SaltyUnder 1 dS/m is fine. Above 4 harms most crops.
Compared with the wider area Place Not salty Salty Here 98% 2% Soreng 98% 2% Sikkim 98% 2% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
GoodShort 5% Enough 95%
Almost every soil test here had enough
What this means
Makes oil in oilseeds and protein in pulses.
Short under 10 ppm Enough 10 ppm or moreHealthy soil has 10 ppm or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Short Enough Here 5% 95% Soreng 5% 95% Sikkim 9% 91% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 3% Enough 97%
Almost every soil test here had enough
What this means
Needed for growth and healthy leaves. Rice and wheat often run short.
Short under 0.6 ppm Enough 0.6 ppm or moreHealthy soil has 0.6 ppm or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Short Enough Here 3% 97% Soreng 4% 96% Sikkim 3% 97% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodShort 5% Enough 95%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out short
What this means
Keeps young leaves green.
Short under 4.5 ppm Enough 4.5 ppm or moreHealthy soil has 4.5 ppm or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Short Enough Here 5% 95% Soreng 4% 96% Sikkim 7% 93% India 24% 76% -
Copper
OkayShort 23% Enough 77%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out short
If your field is short: mix 2 kg of copper sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing.
What this means
Helps the crop set seed and resist disease.
Short under 0.2 ppm Enough 0.2 ppm or moreHealthy soil has 0.2 ppm or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Short Enough Here 23% 77% Soreng 13% 87% Sikkim 2% 98% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 15% Enough 85%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out short
What this means
Helps leaves make food from sunlight.
Short under 2 ppm Enough 2 ppm or moreHealthy soil has 2 ppm or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Short Enough Here 15% 85% Soreng 15% 85% Sikkim 22% 78% India 13% 87% -
Boron
GoodShort 11% Enough 89%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out short
What this means
Needed for flowers to set seed and fruit.
Short under 0.5 ppm Enough 0.5 ppm or moreHealthy soil has 0.5 ppm or more.
Compared with the wider area Place Short Enough Here 11% 89% Soreng 16% 84% Sikkim 21% 79% India 45% 55%
Fixes are the usual advice. Your Soil Health Card or nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra gives the exact dose for your field.
Source: Soil Health Card – soil nutrient analysis (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare). 2023-24 & 2024-25. 1,993 samples.
Climate in Soreng
Rain
About 2,520 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 2,130 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in August: days about 30°, nights 23°
Coolest in January: days about 20°, nights 8°.
Averages for an area about 100 km across; hills and valleys can differ by several degrees.
Source: IMD gridded daily rainfall (0.25°); IMD gridded daily max/min temperature (1°).