What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: sulphur, zinc, copper, manganese and boron.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 1,671
- 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
GoodMedium 100%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 0% 100% 0% Kalimpong 2% 98% 0% West Bengal 39% 58% 3% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
GoodLow 1% Medium 9% High 90%
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 1% 9% 90% Kalimpong 1% 6% 93% West Bengal 7% 21% 72% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 4% Medium 96%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 4% 96% 0% Kalimpong 10% 90% 0% West Bengal 14% 54% 32% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodMedium 2% High 98%
Most soil tests here came out high
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 0% 2% 98% Kalimpong 0% 2% 98% West Bengal 25% 41% 33% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
OkayAcidic 36% Neutral 64%
4 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 36% 64% 0% Kalimpong 44% 56% 0% West Bengal 27% 73% 0% India 12% 86% 2% -
Salt
GoodNot salty 100%
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 100% 0% Kalimpong 100% 0% West Bengal 95% 5% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
PoorShort 100%
Almost every soil test here came out short
If your field is short: use single super phosphate instead of DAP, or add about 100 kg of gypsum per acre before sowing.
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 100% 0% Kalimpong 100% 0% West Bengal 37% 63% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
PoorShort 87% Enough 13%
9 in 10 soil tests here came out short
If your field is short: mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.
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 87% 13% Kalimpong 92% 8% West Bengal 25% 75% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodEnough 100%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 0% 100% Kalimpong 0% 100% West Bengal 1% 99% India 24% 76% -
Copper
PoorShort 98% Enough 2%
Almost every soil test 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 98% 2% Kalimpong 94% 6% West Bengal 2% 98% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
PoorShort 100%
Almost every soil test here came out short
If your field is short: spray manganese sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, on the young crop.
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 100% 0% Kalimpong 100% 0% West Bengal 12% 88% India 13% 87% -
Boron
PoorShort 99% Enough 1%
Almost every soil test here came out short
If your field is short: mix 4 kg of borax per acre into the soil before sowing.
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 99% 1% Kalimpong 99% 1% West Bengal 62% 38% 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. 1,671 samples.
Climate in Kalimpong
Rain
About 3,780 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 3,460 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°).