What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: phosphorus, pH, sulphur and zinc.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 65
- 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
GoodLow 2% Medium 98%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 2% 98% 0% Quepem 14% 81% 5% South Goa 24% 69% 7% Goa 29% 48% 22% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
PoorLow 89% Medium 7% High 5%
9 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 89% 7% 5% Quepem 65% 19% 16% South Goa 62% 20% 18% Goa 50% 19% 31% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 3% Medium 75% High 22%
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 3% 75% 22% Quepem 22% 43% 36% South Goa 28% 35% 37% Goa 26% 38% 36% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 2% Medium 2% High 97%
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 2% 2% 97% Quepem 4% 6% 90% South Goa 8% 8% 84% Goa 17% 7% 76% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
PoorAcidic 66% Neutral 34%
7 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 66% 34% 0% Quepem 46% 53% 0% South Goa 49% 51% 0% Goa 54% 46% 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% Quepem 100% 0% South Goa 94% 6% Goa 92% 8% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
PoorShort 61% Enough 39%
6 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 61% 39% Quepem 58% 42% South Goa 50% 50% Goa 53% 47% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
PoorShort 62% Enough 38%
6 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 62% 38% Quepem 29% 71% South Goa 20% 80% Goa 30% 70% 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% Quepem 5% 95% South Goa 3% 97% Goa 3% 97% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodShort 2% Enough 98%
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 2% 98% Quepem 3% 97% South Goa 2% 98% Goa 3% 97% 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% Quepem 3% 97% South Goa 6% 94% Goa 7% 93% India 13% 87% -
Boron
GoodShort 18% Enough 82%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out short
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 18% 82% Quepem 46% 54% South Goa 38% 62% Goa 41% 59% 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. 65 samples.
Climate in South Goa
Rain
About 3,730 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 3,200 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 34 °C, nights 25 °C
Coolest in January: days about 32 °C, nights 19 °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.