What the soil tests found
6
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: nitrogen, zinc, copper, manganese and boron.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24
- 10
- 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% Ranikor 70% 30% 0% South West Khasi Hills 66% 34% 0% Meghalaya 40% 59% 1% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
OkayLow 50% Medium 50%
5 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 50% 50% 0% Ranikor 32% 48% 20% South West Khasi Hills 18% 41% 42% Meghalaya 36% 43% 21% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 50% Medium 30% High 20%
5 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 50% 30% 20% Ranikor 13% 66% 21% South West Khasi Hills 23% 53% 24% Meghalaya 18% 67% 15% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodMedium 20% High 80%
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% 20% 80% Ranikor 2% 5% 93% South West Khasi Hills 3% 4% 93% Meghalaya 3% 11% 86% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
GoodNeutral 100%
Almost every soil test here came out neutral
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% 100% 0% Ranikor 54% 46% 0% South West Khasi Hills 45% 55% 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% Ranikor 100% 0% South West Khasi Hills 100% 0% Meghalaya 100% 0% 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% Ranikor 1% 99% South West Khasi Hills 1% 99% Meghalaya 42% 58% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
PoorShort 90% Enough 10%
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 90% 10% Ranikor 54% 46% South West Khasi Hills 47% 53% Meghalaya 41% 59% India 35% 65% -
Iron
OkayShort 20% Enough 80%
2 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 20% 80% Ranikor 35% 65% South West Khasi Hills 33% 67% Meghalaya 25% 75% India 24% 76% -
Copper
PoorShort 100%
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 100% 0% Ranikor 64% 36% South West Khasi Hills 53% 47% Meghalaya 23% 77% 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% Ranikor 50% 50% South West Khasi Hills 43% 57% Meghalaya 24% 76% India 13% 87% -
Boron
PoorShort 80% Enough 20%
8 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 80% 20% Ranikor 84% 16% South West Khasi Hills 87% 13% Meghalaya 64% 36% 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. 10 samples.
Climate in South West Khasi Hills
Rain
About 9,350 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 6,180 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in August: days about 24 °C, nights 18 °C
Coolest in January: days about 16 °C, nights 6 °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.