What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
Soil score
GoodShort in most fields here: potassium and pH.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24
- 25
- nutrients checked in each sample
- 10
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 24% Medium 76%
2 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 24% 76% 0% Baghmara 18% 73% 10% South Garo Hills 14% 83% 3% Meghalaya 40% 59% 1% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
GoodMedium 100%
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 0% 100% 0% Baghmara 30% 69% 1% South Garo Hills 41% 59% 0% Meghalaya 36% 43% 21% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
PoorLow 60% Medium 40%
6 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 60% 40% 0% Baghmara 27% 73% 0% South Garo Hills 16% 84% 0% Meghalaya 18% 67% 15% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodMedium 36% High 64%
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 0% 36% 64% Baghmara 0% 11% 89% South Garo Hills 1% 15% 84% Meghalaya 3% 11% 86% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
PoorAcidic 100%
Almost every soil test 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 100% 0% 0% Baghmara 55% 45% 0% South Garo Hills 48% 52% 0% Meghalaya 57% 43% 0% 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% Baghmara 100% 0% South Garo Hills 100% 0% Meghalaya 100% 0% India 96% 4% -
Zinc
GoodShort 12% Enough 88%
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 12% 88% Baghmara 40% 60% South Garo Hills 55% 45% Meghalaya 41% 59% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodEnough 100%
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 0% 100% Baghmara 5% 95% South Garo Hills 4% 96% Meghalaya 25% 75% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodShort 4% Enough 96%
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 4% 96% Baghmara 19% 81% South Garo Hills 13% 87% Meghalaya 23% 77% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
OkayShort 20% Enough 80%
2 in 10 soil tests 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 20% 80% Baghmara 15% 85% South Garo Hills 7% 93% Meghalaya 24% 76% 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. 25 samples.
Climate in South Garo Hills
Rain
About 6,990 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 3,740 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 32 °C, nights 22 °C
Coolest in January: days about 24 °C, nights 12 °C.
Typical of the district's villages; a farm much higher or lower can be a few degrees cooler or warmer.
Source: IMD gridded daily rainfall (0.25°); IMD gridded daily max/min temperature (1°); TerraClimate 1991–2020 temperature normals (about 4 km), where each district's villages are.