What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
Soil score
GoodNot in the score: sulphur, zinc, iron and 2 more.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2023-24 & 2024-25
- 36
- nutrients checked
- 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
-
Good
Nitrogen
From 36 soil tests
Low 17% Medium 53% High 31%
2 in 10 soil tests here came out low
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 17% 53% 31% Bicholim 38% 27% 35% North Goa 36% 24% 40% Goa 29% 48% 22% India 65% 29% 6% -
Good
Phosphorus
From 35 soil tests
Low 9% Medium 3% High 89%
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 9% 3% 89% Bicholim 33% 21% 47% North Goa 36% 18% 47% Goa 50% 19% 31% India 13% 41% 45% -
Good
Potassium
From 36 soil tests
Low 3% Medium 31% High 67%
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 3% 31% 67% Bicholim 18% 36% 46% North Goa 23% 42% 35% Goa 26% 38% 36% India 14% 53% 33% -
Good
Organic carbon
From 36 soil tests
Low 14% High 86%
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 14% 0% 86% Bicholim 27% 7% 66% North Goa 27% 5% 68% Goa 17% 7% 76% India 49% 28% 23% -
Okay
pH
From 36 soil tests
Acidic 50% Neutral 50%
5 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 50% 50% 0% Bicholim 62% 38% 0% North Goa 59% 41% 0% Goa 54% 46% 0% India 11% 86% 2% -
Okay
Salt
From 36 soil tests
Not salty 61% Salty 39%
4 in 10 soil tests here came out salty
If your field is salty: grow crops that take salt, level the field, and wash the salt down with good water before sowing.
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 61% 39% Bicholim 80% 20% North Goa 89% 11% Goa 92% 8% India 96% 4% -
Good
Boron
From 33 soil tests
Short 6% Enough 94%
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 6% 94% Bicholim 43% 57% North Goa 44% 56% Goa 41% 59% India 44% 56%
Too few tests here to judge sulphur (25 tests), zinc (18 tests), iron (18 tests), copper (18 tests) and manganese (18 tests), out of 36 soil samples.
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 & 2024-25. 36 samples.
Climate in North Goa
Rain
About 4,210 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 3,670 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in April: days about 34 °C, nights 25 °C
Coolest in January: days about 32 °C, nights 19 °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.