Soil Health Checklist

A quick, farmer-friendly tool to assess soil health based on visible signs and farming conditions. Get insights on fertility, texture, moisture, and nutrient balance — all in minutes! Use it to plan better crop care and boost yields.

Soil Health Checklist – मिट्टी स्वास्थ्य जांच सूची

🌱 Soil Health Checklist

Comprehensive soil assessment tool for Indian farmers

💡 Daily Farming Tip

Use organic mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent erosion.

🌱 Soil Health Assessment

1. Soil Color Dark soil indicates high organic matter content and good fertility. Pale soil may indicate nutrient deficiency. Red soil is common in tropical regions and varies in fertility.
2. Soil Smell Earthy smell indicates healthy soil with good microbial activity. Sour smell suggests poor drainage and anaerobic conditions. Chemical smell indicates contamination.
3. Soil Texture Loamy soil is ideal for most crops with good drainage and nutrient retention. Sandy soil drains quickly but may lack nutrients. Clay soil retains nutrients but may have drainage issues.
4. Organic Matter Presence Visible organic matter like decomposed leaves, roots, and plant debris indicates good soil health and fertility. Organic matter improves soil structure and water retention.
5. Earthworm Count (per spade) Earthworms are excellent indicators of soil health. They improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient cycling. More earthworms indicate healthier soil ecosystem.
6. Surface Crust Formation Hard crust formation on soil surface indicates poor soil structure, compaction, and reduced water infiltration. Good soil should remain loose and crumbly.
7. Water Retention Good soil should retain water for plants while allowing excess water to drain. Poor water retention leads to frequent irrigation needs or waterlogging issues.
8. Root Penetration Easy root penetration indicates good soil structure and adequate porosity. Difficult penetration suggests soil compaction which limits plant growth and nutrient uptake.
9. Soil pH Level (Visual Test) Soil pH affects nutrient availability. Most crops prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (6.0-7.0). Test with pH strips or observe plant indicators like moss growth (acidic) or stunted growth (alkaline).
10. Soil Moisture Content Squeeze test: Good moisture forms a ball that crumbles when poked. Too dry creates dust, too wet creates mud. Proper moisture is essential for root development and nutrient uptake.
11. Soil Compaction Level Use a penetrometer or push a wire/stick into soil. Good soil allows easy penetration to 15-20cm depth. Compacted soil restricts root growth and water infiltration.
12. Weed Indicator Plants Different weeds indicate soil conditions: Dandelions (compacted soil), Moss (acidic, wet soil), Clover (nitrogen-poor soil), Plantain (hard-packed soil). Diverse weeds can indicate healthy soil.

📝 Soil Observation Logger

📊 Saved Observations

🌾 Crop Suitability & Recommendations

Complete a soil assessment to get personalized crop recommendations.

🌿 Seasonal Farming Tips

🔍 Visual Nutrient Deficiency Guide

🟡 Nitrogen Deficiency

Symptoms: Yellowing of older leaves, stunted growth

Natural Treatment: Apply compost, green manure, or neem cake

🟣 Phosphorus Deficiency

Symptoms: Purple stems and leaves, poor root development

Natural Treatment: Apply bone meal, rock phosphate, or banana peels

🟤 Potassium Deficiency

Symptoms: Brown edges on leaves, weak stems

Natural Treatment: Apply wood ash, banana compost, or kelp meal

🟫 Iron Deficiency

Symptoms: Yellow leaves with green veins

Natural Treatment: Apply chelated iron or iron-rich compost

🟢 Magnesium Deficiency

Symptoms: Yellowing between leaf veins, leaf curling

Natural Treatment: Apply Epsom salt solution or dolomite lime

🟨 Calcium Deficiency

Symptoms: Leaf tip burn, blossom end rot in fruits

Natural Treatment: Apply crushed eggshells or gypsum

🔬 Simple Soil Tests You Can Do

💧 Jar Test for Soil Texture

Method: Fill jar 1/3 with soil, add water, shake, let settle for 24 hours

Result: Bottom layer = sand, middle = silt, top = clay

🌡️ pH Test with Vinegar & Baking Soda

Method: Add vinegar to soil sample. If it fizzes, soil is alkaline. Add baking soda to another sample. If it fizzes, soil is acidic.

💪 Percolation Test

Method: Dig hole 30cm deep, fill with water, time how long it takes to drain

Good drainage: 1-3 hours | Poor drainage: > 24 hours

📋 Generate Soil Health Report

Complete a soil assessment to generate a detailed PDF report.

🌤️ Weather & Farming Advice

Current Weather

5-Day Forecast

Weather-Based Farming Advice

📤 Data Export & Import

Export Data

Export your soil health data for agricultural extension services or backup

Import Data

Import soil health data from extension services or other sources

Data Summary

Disclaimer

This assessment provides general guidance based on common symptom patterns. It should not be considered a replacement for professional agricultural advice. Always consult local experts and account for region-specific environmental factors.