What the soil tests found
8
out of 10
Soil score
GoodShort in most fields here: phosphorus and manganese.
Not in the score: nitrogen, sulphur and boron.
For most crops. How the soil score works
- soil samples, 2024-25
- 84
- nutrients checked
- 9
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
-
Poor
Phosphorus
From 84 soil tests
Low 63% Medium 27% High 10%
6 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 63% 27% 10% Kargil 28% 40% 31% Ladakh 28% 39% 33% India 13% 41% 45% -
Good
Potassium
From 84 soil tests
Low 1% Medium 32% 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 1% 32% 67% Kargil 21% 34% 45% Ladakh 20% 33% 47% India 14% 53% 33% -
Good
Organic carbon
From 84 soil tests
Low 10% Medium 13% High 77%
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 10% 13% 77% Kargil 14% 11% 75% Ladakh 17% 14% 69% India 49% 28% 23% -
Good
pH
From 84 soil tests
Neutral 99% Alkaline 1%
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 0% 99% 1% Kargil 0% 98% 2% Ladakh 0% 97% 3% India 11% 86% 2% -
Good
Salt
From 84 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% Kargil 93% 7% Ladakh 94% 6% India 96% 4% -
Good
Zinc
From 84 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% Kargil 26% 74% Ladakh 41% 59% India 35% 65% -
Good
Iron
From 84 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% Kargil 69% 31% Ladakh 76% 24% India 24% 76% -
Good
Copper
From 84 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% Kargil 49% 51% Ladakh 49% 51% India 5% 95% -
Poor
Manganese
From 84 soil tests
Short 70% Enough 30%
7 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 70% 30% Kargil 72% 28% Ladakh 78% 22% India 12% 88%
Not tested here: nitrogen, sulphur and boron.
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. 84 samples.
Climate in Kargil
Rain
About 200 mm of rain a year
In a normal year. A dry year brings about 170 mm.
Temperature
Hottest in July: days about 25 °C, nights 13 °C
Coolest in January: days about -6 °C, nights -18 °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.