What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: nitrogen, zinc and iron.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 1,800
- 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 98% Medium 2%
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 98% 2% 0% Bandipora 65% 28% 7% Jammu And Kashmir 25% 59% 16% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
GoodLow 1% Medium 84% High 15%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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% 84% 15% Bandipora 0% 41% 59% Jammu And Kashmir 4% 48% 48% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 2% Medium 66% High 32%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 2% 66% 32% Bandipora 2% 58% 40% Jammu And Kashmir 7% 69% 23% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 14% Medium 48% High 38%
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 14% 48% 38% Bandipora 7% 25% 68% Jammu And Kashmir 17% 25% 58% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
OkayNeutral 76% Alkaline 24%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out alkaline
If your field is alkaline: add compost or farmyard manure. Very alkaline land also needs gypsum; a soil lab works out how much.
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% 76% 24% Bandipora 0% 95% 5% Jammu And Kashmir 2% 97% 1% 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% Bandipora 100% 0% Jammu And Kashmir 95% 5% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
GoodShort 5% Enough 95%
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 5% 95% Bandipora 21% 79% Jammu And Kashmir 16% 84% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
PoorShort 60% Enough 40%
6 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 60% 40% Bandipora 56% 44% Jammu And Kashmir 24% 76% India 35% 65% -
Iron
PoorShort 82% Enough 18%
8 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 82% 18% Bandipora 78% 22% Jammu And Kashmir 36% 64% 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% Bandipora 2% 98% Jammu And Kashmir 7% 93% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 9% Enough 91%
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 9% 91% Bandipora 28% 72% Jammu And Kashmir 21% 79% India 13% 87% -
Boron
OkayShort 29% Enough 71%
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 29% 71% Bandipora 36% 64% Jammu And Kashmir 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. 1,800 samples.
Climate in Bandipora
Rain
About 910 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 750 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in June: days about 30°, nights 17°
Coolest in January: days about 10°, nights 0°.
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°).