What the soil tests found
6
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: zinc, iron, copper and manganese.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 323
- nutrients checked in each sample
- 9
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
-
Phosphorus
OkayLow 29% Medium 34% High 36%
3 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 29% 34% 36% Leh Ladakh 29% 34% 36% Ladakh 28% 39% 33% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 18% Medium 29% High 53%
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 18% 29% 53% Leh Ladakh 18% 29% 53% Ladakh 20% 33% 47% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
OkayLow 30% Medium 24% High 46%
3 in 10 soil tests here came out low
If your field is low: add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.
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 30% 24% 46% Leh Ladakh 30% 24% 46% Ladakh 17% 14% 69% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
GoodNeutral 95% Alkaline 5%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out alkaline
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% 95% 5% Leh Ladakh 0% 95% 5% Ladakh 0% 97% 3% India 12% 86% 2% -
Salt
GoodNot salty 98% Salty 2%
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 98% 2% Leh Ladakh 98% 2% Ladakh 94% 6% India 96% 4% -
Zinc
PoorShort 91% Enough 9%
9 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 91% 9% Leh Ladakh 91% 9% Ladakh 41% 59% India 35% 65% -
Iron
PoorShort 100%
Almost every soil test 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 100% 0% Leh Ladakh 100% 0% Ladakh 76% 24% India 24% 76% -
Copper
PoorShort 99% Enough 1%
Almost every soil test here came out short
If your field is short: mix 2 kg of copper sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing.
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 99% 1% Leh Ladakh 99% 1% Ladakh 60% 40% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
PoorShort 100%
Almost every soil test 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 100% 0% Leh Ladakh 100% 0% Ladakh 78% 22% India 13% 87%
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. 323 samples.
Climate in Leh Ladakh
Rain
About 430 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 300 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in June: days about 29°, nights 16°
Coolest in January: days about 10°, nights -1°.
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°).