What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 1,114
- 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
PoorLow 76% Medium 15% High 9%
8 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 76% 15% 9% Botad 74% 16% 10% Gujarat 81% 18% 1% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
OkayLow 21% Medium 55% High 23%
2 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 21% 55% 23% Botad 18% 58% 23% Gujarat 9% 24% 67% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodMedium 9% High 91%
Most soil tests here came out high
If your field is high: you can use about a quarter less potash than usual.
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 0% 9% 91% Botad 1% 11% 88% Gujarat 5% 34% 61% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 16% Medium 40% High 44%
2 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 16% 40% 44% Botad 8% 26% 66% Gujarat 34% 35% 31% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
GoodNeutral 99% Alkaline 1%
Almost every soil test here came out neutral
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 0% 99% 1% Botad 0% 100% 0% Gujarat 0% 98% 2% India 12% 86% 2% -
Salt
OkayNot salty 61% Salty 39%
4 in 10 soil tests here came out salty
If your field is salty: grow crops that take salt, level the field, and wash the salt down with good water before sowing.
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 61% 39% Botad 76% 24% Gujarat 86% 14% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
GoodEnough 100%
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 0% 100% Botad 0% 100% Gujarat 25% 75% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
OkayShort 47% Enough 53%
5 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 47% 53% Botad 54% 46% Gujarat 39% 61% India 35% 65% -
Iron
OkayShort 43% Enough 57%
4 in 10 soil tests here came out short
If your field is short: spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.
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 43% 57% Botad 55% 45% Gujarat 32% 68% 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% Botad 4% 96% Gujarat 7% 93% 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% Botad 4% 96% Gujarat 8% 92% India 13% 87% -
Boron
OkayShort 22% Enough 78%
2 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 22% 78% Botad 30% 70% Gujarat 51% 49% 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. 1,114 samples.
Climate in Botad
Rain
About 710 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 530 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in May: days about 39°, nights 26°
Coolest in January: days about 29°, nights 13°.
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°).