What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 23
- 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 91% Medium 4% High 4%
9 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 91% 4% 4% Narayangarh 45% 44% 12% Paschim Medinipur 49% 39% 13% West Bengal 39% 58% 3% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
GoodLow 4% Medium 78% High 17%
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 4% 78% 17% Narayangarh 29% 49% 21% Paschim Medinipur 21% 36% 43% West Bengal 7% 21% 72% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 35% Medium 13% High 52%
3 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 35% 13% 52% Narayangarh 18% 46% 36% Paschim Medinipur 10% 45% 45% West Bengal 14% 54% 32% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
OkayLow 30% Medium 17% High 52%
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% 17% 52% Narayangarh 24% 47% 28% Paschim Medinipur 19% 42% 39% West Bengal 25% 41% 33% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
OkayAcidic 48% Neutral 52%
5 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 48% 52% 0% Narayangarh 69% 31% 0% Paschim Medinipur 62% 38% 0% West Bengal 27% 73% 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% Narayangarh 99% 1% Paschim Medinipur 94% 6% West Bengal 95% 5% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
OkayShort 22% Enough 78%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out short
If your field is short: use single super phosphate instead of DAP, or add about 100 kg of gypsum per acre before sowing.
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 22% 78% Narayangarh 66% 34% Paschim Medinipur 55% 45% West Bengal 37% 63% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 9% Enough 91%
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 9% 91% Narayangarh 28% 72% Paschim Medinipur 20% 80% West Bengal 25% 75% 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% Narayangarh 0% 100% Paschim Medinipur 0% 100% West Bengal 1% 99% 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% Narayangarh 0% 100% Paschim Medinipur 0% 100% West Bengal 2% 98% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodEnough 100%
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 0% 100% Narayangarh 0% 100% Paschim Medinipur 0% 100% West Bengal 12% 88% India 13% 87% -
Boron
OkayShort 48% Enough 52%
5 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 48% 52% Narayangarh 79% 21% Paschim Medinipur 77% 23% West Bengal 62% 38% 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. 23 samples.
Climate in Paschim Medinipur
Rain
About 1,560 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,290 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 36°, nights 25°
Coolest in January: days about 25°, nights 13°.
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°).