What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: phosphorus, sulphur and zinc.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 136
- 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
OkayLow 46% Medium 54%
5 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 46% 54% 0% Sanguem 46% 54% 0% South Goa 24% 69% 7% Goa 29% 48% 22% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
PoorLow 100%
Almost every soil test 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 100% 0% 0% Sanguem 99% 1% 1% South Goa 62% 20% 18% Goa 50% 19% 31% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 20% Medium 41% High 39%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out low
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% 41% 39% Sanguem 18% 36% 45% South Goa 28% 35% 37% Goa 26% 38% 36% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 7% Medium 7% High 86%
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 7% 7% 86% Sanguem 18% 9% 73% South Goa 8% 8% 84% Goa 17% 7% 76% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
GoodAcidic 19% Neutral 81%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out acidic
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 19% 81% 0% Sanguem 24% 76% 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% Sanguem 100% 0% South Goa 94% 6% Goa 92% 8% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
PoorShort 86% Enough 14%
9 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 86% 14% Sanguem 66% 34% South Goa 50% 50% Goa 53% 47% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
PoorShort 52% Enough 48%
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 52% 48% Sanguem 30% 70% South Goa 20% 80% Goa 30% 70% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodShort 1% Enough 99%
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 1% 99% Sanguem 4% 96% South Goa 3% 97% Goa 3% 97% India 24% 76% -
Copper
GoodShort 3% Enough 97%
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 3% 97% Sanguem 4% 96% South Goa 2% 98% Goa 3% 97% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 1% Enough 99%
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 1% 99% Sanguem 1% 99% South Goa 6% 94% Goa 7% 93% India 13% 87% -
Boron
OkayShort 24% Enough 76%
2 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 24% 76% Sanguem 42% 58% 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). 2023-24 & 2024-25. 136 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.