What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 560
- 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 73% Medium 27%
7 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 73% 27% 0% The Nilgiris 73% 27% 1% Tamil Nadu 99% 1% 0% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
GoodLow 1% Medium 6% High 93%
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% 6% 93% The Nilgiris 2% 16% 82% Tamil Nadu 21% 43% 36% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 1% Medium 20% High 79%
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 1% 20% 79% The Nilgiris 9% 26% 65% Tamil Nadu 11% 43% 46% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 18% Medium 15% High 67%
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 18% 15% 67% The Nilgiris 22% 15% 63% Tamil Nadu 88% 9% 3% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
OkayAcidic 26% Neutral 74%
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 26% 74% 0% The Nilgiris 47% 53% 0% Tamil Nadu 2% 93% 5% India 12% 86% 2% -
Salt
GoodNot salty 99% Salty 1%
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 99% 1% The Nilgiris 100% 0% Tamil Nadu 98% 2% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
OkayShort 45% Enough 55%
4 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 45% 55% The Nilgiris 68% 32% Tamil Nadu 35% 65% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 8% Enough 92%
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 8% 92% The Nilgiris 25% 75% Tamil Nadu 42% 58% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodShort 8% Enough 92%
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 8% 92% The Nilgiris 19% 81% Tamil Nadu 39% 61% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodShort 3% Enough 97%
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 3% 97% The Nilgiris 10% 90% Tamil Nadu 3% 97% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 11% Enough 89%
1 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 11% 89% The Nilgiris 16% 84% Tamil Nadu 28% 72% India 13% 87% -
Boron
GoodShort 19% Enough 81%
2 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 19% 81% The Nilgiris 36% 64% Tamil Nadu 45% 55% 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. 560 samples.
Climate in The Nilgiris
Rain
About 1,650 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,270 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 33°, nights 21°
Coolest in January: days about 29°, nights 17°.
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°).