What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
- soil samples, 2023-24
- 14
- nutrients checked
- 11
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
-
Phosphorus
PoorLow 64% Medium 36%
6 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 64% 36% 0% Takula 25% 30% 44% Almora 22% 27% 51% Uttarakhand 17% 45% 38% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodMedium 57% High 43%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 0% 57% 43% Takula 19% 26% 55% Almora 16% 24% 61% Uttarakhand 21% 51% 28% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 14% Medium 14% High 71%
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 14% 14% 71% Takula 13% 11% 76% Almora 13% 11% 76% Uttarakhand 20% 26% 55% 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 AlkalineIn these tests, neutral means about pH 6 to 8, which suits most crops; acidic is below about 6 and alkaline above about 8.
Compared with the wider area Place Acidic Neutral Alkaline Here 0% 100% 0% Takula 1% 99% 0% Almora 1% 99% 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% Takula 100% 0% Almora 100% 0% Uttarakhand 88% 12% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
OkayShort 36% Enough 64%
4 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 36% 64% Takula 43% 57% Almora 45% 55% Uttarakhand 22% 78% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 7% Enough 93%
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 7% 93% Takula 3% 97% Almora 9% 91% Uttarakhand 13% 87% 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% Takula 6% 94% Almora 5% 95% Uttarakhand 12% 88% India 24% 76% -
Copper
OkayShort 21% Enough 79%
2 in 10 soil tests 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 21% 79% Takula 10% 90% Almora 9% 91% Uttarakhand 4% 96% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 14% Enough 86%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out short
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 14% 86% Takula 38% 62% Almora 29% 71% Uttarakhand 14% 86% India 13% 87% -
Boron
OkayShort 29% Enough 71%
3 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 29% 71% Takula 14% 86% Almora 11% 89% 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). 2023-24. 14 samples.
Climate in Almora
Rain
About 1,180 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,030 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in May: days about 32 °C, nights 18 °C
Coolest in January: days about 16 °C, nights 5 °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.