What the soil tests found
9
out of 10
Soil score
GoodFor most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24
- 13
- nutrients checked in each sample
- 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
OkayLow 46% Medium 54%
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 46% 54% 0% Okhalkanda 11% 42% 47% Nainital 16% 61% 23% Uttarakhand 17% 45% 38% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodMedium 69% High 31%
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% 69% 31% Okhalkanda 6% 67% 27% Nainital 9% 60% 32% Uttarakhand 21% 51% 28% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodMedium 23% High 77%
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% 23% 77% Okhalkanda 6% 15% 80% Nainital 5% 9% 86% 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 AlkalineMost crops do best at pH 6.5 to 7.5.
Compared with the wider area Place Acidic Neutral Alkaline Here 0% 100% 0% Okhalkanda 12% 87% 1% Nainital 4% 96% 0% Uttarakhand 3% 97% 0% India 12% 86% 2% -
Salt
GoodNot salty 92% Salty 8%
1 in 10 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 92% 8% Okhalkanda 100% 0% Nainital 100% 0% Uttarakhand 88% 12% 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% Okhalkanda 3% 97% Nainital 30% 70% Uttarakhand 22% 78% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
OkayShort 31% Enough 69%
3 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 31% 69% Okhalkanda 33% 67% Nainital 31% 69% 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% Okhalkanda 23% 77% Nainital 47% 53% Uttarakhand 12% 88% India 24% 76% -
Copper
OkayShort 31% Enough 69%
3 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 31% 69% Okhalkanda 9% 91% Nainital 12% 88% Uttarakhand 4% 96% 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% Okhalkanda 48% 52% Nainital 58% 42% 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% Okhalkanda 8% 92% Nainital 10% 90% 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. 13 samples.
Climate in Nainital
Rain
About 1,470 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,100 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in May: days about 33 °C, nights 19 °C
Coolest in January: days about 17 °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.