What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
Soil score
GoodShort in most fields here: potassium.
Not in the score: nitrogen.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 33
- nutrients checked
- 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
-
Good
Phosphorus
From 33 soil tests
Low 3% High 97%
Most soil tests here came out high
If your field is high: you can use about a quarter less DAP than usual.
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 3% 0% 97% Ambalappuzha 3% 5% 92% Alappuzha 1% 4% 95% Kerala 9% 17% 74% India 13% 41% 45% -
Poor
Potassium
From 33 soil tests
Low 64% Medium 30% High 6%
6 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 64% 30% 6% Ambalappuzha 83% 15% 2% Alappuzha 66% 27% 7% Kerala 29% 42% 29% India 14% 53% 33% -
Good
Organic carbon
From 33 soil tests
Low 15% Medium 9% High 76%
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 15% 9% 76% Ambalappuzha 19% 16% 65% Alappuzha 32% 25% 43% Kerala 19% 19% 62% India 49% 28% 23% -
Okay
pH
From 33 soil tests
Acidic 21% Neutral 79%
2 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 AlkalineIn these tests, neutral means about pH 6 to 8, which suits most crops; acidic is below about 6 and alkaline above about 8.
Compared with the wider area Place Acidic Neutral Alkaline Here 21% 79% 0% Ambalappuzha 13% 87% 0% Alappuzha 7% 92% 1% Kerala 28% 72% 0% India 11% 86% 2% -
Good
Salt
From 33 soil tests
Not salty 97% Salty 3%
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. Between 1 and 4, only crops that can't take salt lose yield. Above 4 harms most crops.
Compared with the wider area Place Not salty Salty Here 97% 3% Ambalappuzha 95% 5% Alappuzha 99% 1% Kerala 99% 1% India 96% 4% -
Okay
Sulphur
From 33 soil tests
Short 45% Enough 55%
5 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 45% 55% Ambalappuzha 45% 55% Alappuzha 64% 36% Kerala 44% 56% India 24% 76% -
Good
Zinc
From 33 soil tests
Enough 100%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 0% 100% Ambalappuzha 1% 99% Alappuzha 1% 99% Kerala 6% 94% India 35% 65% -
Good
Iron
From 33 soil tests
Enough 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% Ambalappuzha 0% 100% Alappuzha 0% 100% Kerala 2% 98% India 24% 76% -
Good
Copper
From 33 soil tests
Enough 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% Ambalappuzha 0% 100% Alappuzha 1% 99% Kerala 1% 99% India 5% 95% -
Good
Manganese
From 33 soil tests
Enough 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% Ambalappuzha 9% 91% Alappuzha 4% 96% Kerala 4% 96% India 12% 88% -
Okay
Boron
From 33 soil tests
Short 27% Enough 73%
3 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 27% 73% Ambalappuzha 8% 92% Alappuzha 50% 50% Kerala 47% 53% India 44% 56%
Not tested here: nitrogen.
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. 33 samples.
Climate in Alappuzha
Rain
About 2,860 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 2,470 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 33 °C, nights 26 °C
Coolest in January: days about 32 °C, nights 23 °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.