What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 96
- 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
OkayLow 31% Medium 15% High 54%
3 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 31% 15% 54% Vengara 14% 27% 59% Malappuram 15% 21% 64% Kerala 9% 17% 74% India 14% 41% 45% -
Potassium
GoodLow 4% Medium 36% High 59%
Most soil tests here came out high
If your field is high: you can use about a quarter less potash than usual.
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 4% 36% 59% Vengara 11% 38% 51% Malappuram 21% 48% 30% Kerala 29% 42% 29% India 14% 53% 34% -
Organic carbon
GoodLow 8% Medium 21% High 71%
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 8% 21% 71% Vengara 7% 16% 77% Malappuram 25% 24% 51% Kerala 18% 18% 64% India 48% 28% 23% -
pH
GoodAcidic 11% Neutral 89%
1 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 11% 89% 0% Vengara 8% 92% 0% Malappuram 25% 75% 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% Vengara 100% 0% Malappuram 100% 0% Kerala 99% 1% India 96% 4% -
Sulphur
OkayShort 29% Enough 71%
3 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 29% 71% Vengara 20% 80% Malappuram 22% 78% Kerala 47% 53% India 24% 76% -
Zinc
GoodShort 3% Enough 97%
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 3% 97% Vengara 1% 99% Malappuram 2% 98% Kerala 6% 94% India 35% 65% -
Iron
GoodShort 7% Enough 93%
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 7% 93% Vengara 2% 98% Malappuram 1% 99% Kerala 2% 98% 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% Vengara 0% 100% Malappuram 0% 100% Kerala 1% 99% India 5% 95% -
Manganese
GoodShort 13% Enough 88%
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% 88% Vengara 9% 91% Malappuram 5% 95% Kerala 4% 96% India 13% 87% -
Boron
PoorShort 71% Enough 29%
7 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 71% 29% Vengara 86% 14% Malappuram 81% 19% 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. 96 samples.
Climate in Malappuram
Rain
About 2,530 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 2,110 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in March: days about 34 °C, nights 25 °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.