HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR KERALA SOILS
Development of a comprehensive soil health assessment protocol for Kerala is the first step before initiating a soil
health assessment programme. A minimum data set is to be proposed to measure soil quality/health. On farm assessment of soil health is
recommended to assist farmers to evaluate the effects of management practices on soil productivity. In erosion prone areas, if adequate soil
and water conservation measures have not been adopted, the problem of soil erosion also has to be considered while assessing soil health.
Studies have to be initiated to develop a base line data of selected indicators to be included in the minimum data set for each soil,
agro ecological unit and crop of the state. Field level validation of the data set for various crops and soil conditions has to be
standardized to arrive at individual indicator scores. The assessment of overall soil health is complex and will encompass several
indicators. The scores of the minimum data set identified are made use of to compute the overall soil health which has to be rated on a
scale for classification of the different threshold levels of soil health status( as very low, low, medium, high and very high).
A sample health card and report, prepared for Kerala is given below.
SOIL HEALTH REPORT
Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare Government of Kerala (PROPOSED)
SOIL HEALTH CARD
FARMER’S DETAILS
Sample Number :
Name of Farmer :
Address :
Location :
Pin :
Panchayat/Municipality/Corporation/Krishi Bhavan :
Block :
District :
Aadhaar No :
Phone No :
e-mail ID :
LAND DETAILS
Nature of land : Upland / Wet land
Survey No :
Farm size (ha) :
Village :
Taluk :
Geo position : Latitude,Longitude
LAND FEATURES
Slope class :
Erosion class :
Elevation :
PREVIOUS CROPS HISTORY
Previous crops :
Period of cultivation :
MAJOR PROBLEMS
Soil :
Disease & pest incidence and control measures :
Whether irrigated or rainfed :
Production (kg/ha) :
Productivity :
Other specific problems, if any :
CURRENT CROP DETAILS
Crop classification: Seasonal/ Annual/ Perennial :
Crop(s) proposed for cultivation :
Planting season/time :
Irrigated/Rainfed :
SOIL HEALTH INDICATORS
A. PHYSICAL
Depth (cm) :
Color :
Texture :
Structure :
Gravelliness :
Available water capacity (mm/m) :
Infiltration/Drainage :
B. CHEMICAL
Analysis of soil samples for 11 parameters (pH, EC, OC, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn and B) Ratings as per the Kerala Agricultural University (2012)
C. BIOLOGICAL
Active carbon (mg/kg) :
Soil respiration rate: (mg CO2 /kg soil/week) :
Root health rating :
Earth worms :
Springtails :
Beetle grubs :
Root mealy bug :
SOIL HEALTH INDICATOR RATINGS
A. PHYSICAL
Color : (Recorded, but no scoring)
Depth (cm)* :
Texture* :
Structure* :
Gravelliness* :
Available water capacity (mm/m)* :
(* Soil Survey staff, 1993) :
B. CHEMICAL
Analysis of soil samples for 11 parameters (pH, EC, OC, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn and B) Ratings as per the Kerala Agricultural University (2012)
C. BIOLOGICAL
Estimation of active carbon :
Estimation of soil respiration rate :
Root health assessment with indicator plants :
Earth worm count :
Springtails :
Beetle grubs :
Root mealy bug :
SOIL HEALTH CARD
SHC No :
Date :
| Name of the Laboratory | Soil sample No | Date of sampling |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
Name of Farmer :
Address :
Location :
Pin :
Krishi Bhavan :
Block :
District :
Survey No :
Farm size (ha) :
Crop(s) cultivated :
Earth worm count :
Springtails :
Beetle grubs :
Root mealy bug :
SOIL HEALTH INDICATORS
| Sl.No. | Parameter | Test Value | Unit | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pH | - | ||
| 2 | EC | dSm-1 | ||
| 3 | Organic carbon | % | ||
| 4 | Available P | kg/ha | ||
| 5 | Available K | kg/ha | ||
| 6 | Available Ca | mg/kg | ||
| 7 | Available Mg | mg/kg | ||
| 8 | Available S | mg/kg | ||
| 9 | Available Cu | mg/kg | ||
| 10 | Available Zn | mg/kg | ||
| 11 | Available B | mg/kg |
FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION (CROP WISE)
A. Lime, Organic manure& Biofertilizer :
B. Major nutrients (NPK) (kg/ha or g/plant) :
C. Secondary nutrients (Mg) (kg/ha or g/plant) :
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