What the soil tests found
9
out of 10
- soil samples, 2023-24
- 45
- 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
-
Okay
Phosphorus
From 45 soil tests
Low 29% Medium 67% High 4%
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 29% 67% 4% Dharchula 26% 72% 3% Pithoragarh 31% 66% 3% Uttarakhand 17% 45% 38% India 13% 41% 45% -
Good
Potassium
From 45 soil tests
Low 4% Medium 51% High 44%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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% 51% 44% Dharchula 17% 67% 17% Pithoragarh 21% 54% 25% Uttarakhand 21% 51% 28% India 14% 53% 33% -
Good
Organic carbon
From 45 soil tests
High 100%
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% 0% 100% Dharchula 5% 12% 83% Pithoragarh 3% 9% 88% Uttarakhand 22% 28% 51% India 49% 28% 23% -
Good
pH
From 45 soil tests
Acidic 2% Neutral 98%
Almost every soil test here came out neutral
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 2% 98% 0% Dharchula 15% 85% 0% Pithoragarh 17% 83% 0% Uttarakhand 3% 97% 0% India 11% 86% 2% -
Good
Salt
From 45 soil tests
Not 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. 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 100% 0% Dharchula 100% 0% Pithoragarh 100% 0% Uttarakhand 88% 12% India 96% 4% -
Good
Sulphur
From 45 soil tests
Short 4% Enough 96%
Almost every soil test here had enough
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 4% 96% Dharchula 17% 83% Pithoragarh 20% 80% Uttarakhand 22% 78% India 24% 76% -
Good
Zinc
From 45 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% Dharchula 6% 94% Pithoragarh 5% 95% Uttarakhand 13% 87% India 35% 65% -
Good
Iron
From 45 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% Dharchula 0% 100% Pithoragarh 1% 99% Uttarakhand 12% 88% India 24% 76% -
Good
Copper
From 45 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% Dharchula 1% 99% Pithoragarh 0% 100% Uttarakhand 4% 96% India 5% 95% -
Okay
Manganese
From 45 soil tests
Short 27% Enough 73%
3 in 10 soil tests here came out short
If your field is short: spray manganese sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, on the young crop.
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 27% 73% Dharchula 12% 88% Pithoragarh 13% 87% Uttarakhand 14% 86% India 12% 88% -
Good
Boron
From 45 soil tests
Short 11% Enough 89%
1 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 11% 89% Dharchula 23% 77% Pithoragarh 31% 69% Uttarakhand 22% 78% 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). 2023-24. 45 samples.
Climate in Pithoragarh
Rain
About 2,200 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 1,470 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in May: days about 34 °C, nights 19 °C
Coolest in January: days about 17 °C, nights 7 °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.