What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
Soil score
GoodShort in most fields here: nitrogen and sulphur.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 110
- 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% Dunda 100% 0% 0% Uttarkashi 100% 0% 0% Uttarakhand 92% 8% 0% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
GoodLow 17% Medium 82% High 1%
2 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 17% 82% 1% Dunda 22% 70% 8% Uttarkashi 19% 63% 18% Uttarakhand 17% 45% 38% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 20% Medium 80%
2 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 20% 80% 0% Dunda 21% 60% 19% Uttarkashi 19% 65% 17% Uttarakhand 21% 51% 28% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodMedium 5% High 95%
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% 5% 95% Dunda 2% 26% 72% Uttarkashi 6% 35% 59% Uttarakhand 20% 26% 55% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
OkayAcidic 42% Neutral 58%
4 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 42% 58% 0% Dunda 20% 80% 0% Uttarkashi 6% 94% 0% Uttarakhand 3% 97% 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% Dunda 99% 1% Uttarkashi 100% 0% Uttarakhand 88% 12% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
PoorShort 52% Enough 48%
5 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 52% 48% Dunda 54% 46% Uttarkashi 52% 48% Uttarakhand 22% 78% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 1% Enough 99%
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 1% 99% Dunda 6% 94% Uttarkashi 7% 93% Uttarakhand 13% 87% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodShort 5% Enough 95%
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 5% 95% Dunda 9% 91% Uttarkashi 7% 93% Uttarakhand 12% 88% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodShort 1% Enough 99%
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 1% 99% Dunda 4% 96% Uttarkashi 4% 96% Uttarakhand 4% 96% 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% Dunda 23% 77% Uttarkashi 21% 79% Uttarakhand 14% 86% India 13% 87% -
Boron
GoodEnough 100%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 0% 100% Dunda 3% 97% Uttarkashi 4% 96% Uttarakhand 22% 78% 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. 110 samples.
Climate in Uttarkashi
Rain
About 1,280 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,070 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in June: days about 27 °C, nights 17 °C
Coolest in January: days about 11 °C, nights 2 °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.