What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 1,370
- 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 100%
Almost every soil test 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 100% 0% 0% Pithoragarh 99% 1% 0% Uttarakhand 92% 8% 0% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
OkayLow 35% Medium 60% 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 35% 60% 5% Pithoragarh 31% 66% 3% Uttarakhand 17% 45% 38% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 34% Medium 44% High 22%
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 34% 44% 22% Pithoragarh 21% 54% 25% Uttarakhand 21% 51% 28% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 10% Medium 18% High 72%
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 10% 18% 72% Pithoragarh 3% 9% 88% Uttarakhand 20% 26% 55% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
GoodAcidic 7% Neutral 93%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out acidic
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 7% 93% 0% Pithoragarh 17% 83% 0% Uttarakhand 3% 97% 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% Pithoragarh 100% 0% Uttarakhand 88% 12% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
OkayShort 27% Enough 73%
3 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 27% 73% Pithoragarh 20% 80% Uttarakhand 22% 78% 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% Pithoragarh 5% 95% Uttarakhand 13% 87% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodShort 1% Enough 99%
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 1% 99% Pithoragarh 1% 99% Uttarakhand 12% 88% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodShort 1% Enough 99%
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 1% 99% Pithoragarh 0% 100% Uttarakhand 4% 96% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
OkayShort 24% Enough 76%
2 in 10 soil tests 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 24% 76% Pithoragarh 13% 87% Uttarakhand 14% 86% India 13% 87% -
Boron
OkayShort 33% Enough 67%
3 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 33% 67% Pithoragarh 31% 69% Uttarakhand 22% 78% 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. 1,370 samples.
Climate in Pithoragarh
Rain
About 2,200 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,470 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in May: days about 34°, nights 21°
Coolest in January: days about 17°, nights 6°.
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°).