What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 261
- 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
GoodMedium 87% High 13%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 0% 87% 13% Kanhangad 2% 66% 32% Kasaragod 18% 45% 36% Kerala 9% 17% 74% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 26% Medium 45% High 29%
3 in 10 soil tests here came out low
If your field is low: add about a quarter more potash (MOP) than the usual dose.
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 26% 45% 29% Kanhangad 34% 43% 23% Kasaragod 50% 35% 15% Kerala 29% 42% 29% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 19% Medium 12% High 69%
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 19% 12% 69% Kanhangad 12% 9% 79% Kasaragod 6% 7% 88% Kerala 18% 18% 64% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
OkayAcidic 32% Neutral 68%
3 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 32% 68% 0% Kanhangad 36% 64% 0% Kasaragod 62% 38% 0% Kerala 33% 67% 0% India 12% 86% 2% -
Salt
GoodNot salty 96% Salty 4%
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 96% 4% Kanhangad 93% 7% Kasaragod 98% 2% Kerala 99% 1% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
OkayShort 42% Enough 58%
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 42% 58% Kanhangad 51% 49% Kasaragod 18% 82% Kerala 47% 53% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
OkayShort 25% Enough 75%
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 25% 75% Kanhangad 11% 89% Kasaragod 9% 91% Kerala 6% 94% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodShort 11% Enough 89%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out short
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 11% 89% Kanhangad 8% 92% Kasaragod 2% 98% Kerala 2% 98% 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% Kanhangad 3% 97% Kasaragod 1% 99% Kerala 1% 99% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 13% Enough 87%
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 13% 87% Kanhangad 9% 91% Kasaragod 5% 95% Kerala 4% 96% 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% Kanhangad 85% 15% Kasaragod 96% 4% Kerala 47% 53% 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. 261 samples.
Climate in Kasaragod
Rain
About 4,090 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 3,430 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 34 °C, nights 25 °C
Coolest in January: days about 32 °C, nights 21 °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.