What the soil tests found
6
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: nitrogen, phosphorus and boron.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 354
- 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% Uttara Kannada 84% 16% 0% Karnataka 62% 32% 6% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
PoorLow 57% Medium 9% High 34%
6 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 57% 9% 34% Uttara Kannada 22% 27% 51% Karnataka 7% 36% 57% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 41% Medium 42% High 18%
4 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 41% 42% 18% Uttara Kannada 49% 26% 25% Karnataka 13% 47% 40% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
OkayLow 21% Medium 34% High 45%
2 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 21% 34% 45% Uttara Kannada 5% 17% 77% Karnataka 46% 32% 22% 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% Uttara Kannada 29% 71% 0% Karnataka 7% 90% 3% 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% Uttara Kannada 95% 5% Karnataka 91% 9% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
GoodShort 10% Enough 90%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out short
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 10% 90% Uttara Kannada 15% 85% Karnataka 31% 69% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
OkayShort 41% Enough 59%
4 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 41% 59% Uttara Kannada 31% 69% Karnataka 57% 43% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodShort 4% Enough 96%
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 4% 96% Uttara Kannada 8% 92% Karnataka 52% 48% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodShort 12% Enough 88%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out short
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 12% 88% Uttara Kannada 12% 88% Karnataka 5% 95% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 1% Enough 99%
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 1% 99% Uttara Kannada 8% 92% Karnataka 14% 86% India 13% 87% -
Boron
PoorShort 92% Enough 8%
9 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 92% 8% Uttara Kannada 90% 10% Karnataka 55% 45% 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. 354 samples.
Climate in Uttara Kannada
Rain
About 2,550 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,900 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 35°, nights 23°
Coolest in January: days about 31°, 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°).