What the soil tests found
7
out of 10
Soil score
OkayShort in most fields here: nitrogen, pH and sulphur.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 182
- 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 100%
Almost every soil test 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 100% 0% 0% Azhutha 100% 0% 0% Idukki 100% 0% 0% Kerala 99% 1% 0% India 64% 30% 6% -
Phosphorus
OkayLow 21% Medium 33% High 46%
2 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 21% 33% 46% Azhutha 24% 25% 51% Idukki 15% 24% 61% Kerala 9% 17% 74% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
OkayLow 22% Medium 20% High 58%
2 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 22% 20% 58% Azhutha 12% 32% 56% Idukki 16% 38% 46% Kerala 29% 42% 29% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodMedium 2% High 98%
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% 2% 98% Azhutha 5% 9% 87% Idukki 4% 9% 88% Kerala 18% 18% 64% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
PoorAcidic 99% Neutral 1%
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 99% 1% 0% Azhutha 87% 13% 0% Idukki 84% 16% 0% Kerala 33% 67% 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% Azhutha 99% 1% Idukki 99% 1% Kerala 99% 1% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
PoorShort 97% Enough 3%
Almost every soil test 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 97% 3% Azhutha 98% 2% Idukki 77% 23% Kerala 47% 53% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 9% Enough 91%
1 in 10 soil tests here came out short
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 9% 91% Azhutha 30% 70% Idukki 33% 67% Kerala 6% 94% 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% Azhutha 0% 100% Idukki 1% 99% 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% Azhutha 0% 100% Idukki 0% 100% Kerala 1% 99% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 11% Enough 89%
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 11% 89% Azhutha 10% 90% Idukki 8% 92% Kerala 4% 96% India 13% 87% -
Boron
GoodShort 19% Enough 81%
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 19% 81% Azhutha 24% 76% Idukki 30% 70% 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. 182 samples.
Climate in Idukki
Rain
About 1,880 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,680 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 29 °C, nights 20 °C
Coolest in January: days about 26 °C, nights 17 °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.