What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
Soil score
GoodShort in most fields here: sulphur and boron.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 877
- 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
GoodLow 10% Medium 87% High 3%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out low
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 10% 87% 3% Latehar 17% 80% 3% Jharkhand 49% 51% 1% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
OkayLow 37% Medium 58% High 5%
4 in 10 soil tests here came out low
If your field is low: add about a quarter more DAP or single super phosphate than the usual dose, at sowing.
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 37% 58% 5% Latehar 32% 58% 11% Jharkhand 11% 63% 26% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 10% Medium 74% High 16%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out low
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 10% 74% 16% Latehar 8% 71% 21% Jharkhand 15% 76% 9% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 15% Medium 72% High 13%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out low
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 15% 72% 13% Latehar 22% 66% 12% Jharkhand 34% 48% 19% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
OkayAcidic 31% Neutral 69%
3 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 31% 69% 0% Latehar 33% 67% 0% Jharkhand 39% 60% 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% Latehar 100% 0% Jharkhand 99% 1% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
PoorShort 57% Enough 43%
6 in 10 soil tests 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 57% 43% Latehar 62% 38% Jharkhand 19% 81% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 9% Enough 91%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out short
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 9% 91% Latehar 5% 95% Jharkhand 17% 83% 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% Latehar 0% 100% Jharkhand 3% 97% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodEnough 100%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 0% 100% Latehar 0% 100% Jharkhand 2% 98% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodEnough 100%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 0% 100% Latehar 0% 100% Jharkhand 5% 95% India 13% 87% -
Boron
PoorShort 58% Enough 42%
6 in 10 soil tests 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 58% 42% Latehar 49% 51% Jharkhand 34% 66% 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. 877 samples.
Climate in Latehar
Rain
About 1,100 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,010 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in May: days about 39°, nights 24°
Coolest in January: days about 24°, nights 9°.
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°).