What the soil tests found
9
out of 10
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 24
- 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
OkayLow 29% Medium 71%
3 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 29% 71% 0% Umling 70% 30% 0% Ri Bhoi 77% 23% 0% Meghalaya 40% 59% 1% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
GoodLow 13% Medium 50% High 38%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out low
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 13% 50% 38% Umling 47% 31% 22% Ri Bhoi 41% 32% 28% Meghalaya 36% 43% 21% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 8% Medium 29% High 63%
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 8% 29% 63% Umling 19% 35% 45% Ri Bhoi 21% 40% 39% Meghalaya 18% 67% 15% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodMedium 4% High 96%
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% 4% 96% Umling 4% 4% 92% Ri Bhoi 5% 6% 90% Meghalaya 3% 11% 86% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
OkayAcidic 33% Neutral 67%
3 in 10 soil tests 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 33% 67% 0% Umling 43% 57% 0% Ri Bhoi 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% Umling 100% 0% Ri Bhoi 100% 0% Meghalaya 100% 0% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
GoodEnough 100%
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 0% 100% Umling 4% 96% Ri Bhoi 3% 97% Meghalaya 42% 58% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 4% Enough 96%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 4% 96% Umling 30% 70% Ri Bhoi 33% 67% 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% Umling 26% 74% Ri Bhoi 30% 70% Meghalaya 25% 75% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodEnough 100%
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 0% 100% Umling 31% 69% Ri Bhoi 35% 65% Meghalaya 23% 77% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
OkayShort 21% Enough 79%
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 21% 79% Umling 33% 67% Ri Bhoi 39% 61% Meghalaya 24% 76% India 13% 87% -
Boron
PoorShort 71% Enough 29%
7 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 71% 29% Umling 78% 22% Ri Bhoi 79% 21% 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). 2024-25. 24 samples.
Climate in Ri Bhoi
Rain
About 1,570 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,220 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in August: days about 29 °C, nights 22 °C
Coolest in January: days about 20 °C, nights 9 °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.