What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: nitrogen, phosphorus, pH and boron.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 214
- 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 78% Medium 22%
8 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 78% 22% 0% Karkal 75% 23% 2% Udupi 58% 40% 2% Karnataka 62% 32% 6% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
PoorLow 53% Medium 47%
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 53% 47% 0% Karkal 28% 35% 37% Udupi 21% 21% 58% Karnataka 7% 36% 57% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodMedium 98% High 2%
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% 98% 2% Karkal 19% 52% 29% Udupi 32% 47% 21% Karnataka 13% 47% 40% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 4% Medium 25% 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 4% 25% 71% Karkal 17% 24% 59% Udupi 17% 14% 69% Karnataka 46% 32% 22% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
PoorAcidic 100%
Almost every soil test 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 100% 0% 0% Karkal 86% 14% 0% Udupi 83% 17% 0% Karnataka 7% 90% 3% 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% Karkal 100% 0% Udupi 100% 0% Karnataka 91% 9% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
GoodShort 19% Enough 81%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out short
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 19% 81% Karkal 45% 55% Udupi 49% 51% Karnataka 31% 69% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
OkayShort 46% Enough 54%
5 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 46% 54% Karkal 31% 69% Udupi 35% 65% Karnataka 57% 43% 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% Karkal 3% 97% Udupi 6% 94% Karnataka 52% 48% 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% Karkal 7% 93% Udupi 12% 88% Karnataka 5% 95% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 5% Enough 95%
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 5% 95% Karkal 21% 79% Udupi 37% 63% Karnataka 14% 86% India 13% 87% -
Boron
PoorShort 89% Enough 11%
9 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 89% 11% Karkal 76% 24% Udupi 63% 37% Karnataka 55% 45% 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. 214 samples.
Climate in Udupi
Rain
About 4,660 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 3,830 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 35 °C, nights 25 °C
Coolest in January: days about 32 °C, nights 20 °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.