What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 1,732
- 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
OkayLow 38% Medium 62%
4 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 38% 62% 0% Kohima 50% 50% 0% Nagaland 31% 56% 13% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
OkayLow 37% Medium 42% High 21%
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% 42% 21% Kohima 16% 56% 28% Nagaland 31% 41% 28% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 30% Medium 53% High 17%
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 30% 53% 17% Kohima 59% 30% 11% Nagaland 26% 54% 20% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 14% Medium 13% High 73%
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 14% 13% 73% Kohima 11% 15% 74% Nagaland 15% 21% 64% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
PoorAcidic 93% Neutral 7%
9 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 93% 7% 0% Kohima 79% 21% 0% Nagaland 74% 26% 0% India 12% 86% 2% -
Salt
GoodNot salty 92% Salty 8%
1 in 10 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 92% 8% Kohima 95% 5% Nagaland 98% 2% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
PoorShort 99% Enough 1%
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 99% 1% Kohima 54% 46% Nagaland 43% 57% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 14% Enough 86%
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 14% 86% Kohima 12% 88% Nagaland 18% 82% 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% Kohima 1% 99% Nagaland 26% 74% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodShort 2% Enough 98%
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 2% 98% Kohima 2% 98% Nagaland 11% 89% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 2% Enough 98%
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 2% 98% Kohima 19% 81% Nagaland 26% 74% India 13% 87% -
Boron
GoodShort 3% Enough 97%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 3% 97% Kohima 3% 97% Nagaland 11% 89% 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. 1,732 samples.
Climate in Kohima
Rain
About 1,510 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,320 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in August: days about 32°, nights 25°
Coolest in January: days about 24°, nights 10°.
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°).