Equipping farmers with the right kind of inputs for their soil

 

Soil is the basis for all things; agriculture, recharging underground water tables, and sustaining biodiversity. Dealing with devastating climatic conditions and being able to grow crops productively requires a clear understanding of soil health and appropriate farming inputs and cropping practices. Farmers looking to access government agriculture-related subsidies and schemes including drip irrigation, sericulture, fisheries, farm ponds, etc. also need to provide certificates of soil health.

 

Uninformed Decisions for Soil Health Management-

Indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides has had adverse effects on local soil and water conditions – some of which percolate into the groundwater and affect drinking water as well. There is a need for soil testing that helps farmers understand the lack of nutrients and how they can replenish or adapt. Centers are often missing or in districts inaccessible to farmers at the last mile with infrequent power supply. Many schemes and policies are also inaccessible to farmers if they do not produce an updated soil health card.

 

Effects of Climate Change-

 

Heat stress reduces moisture in the soil while increased chances of floods and cyclones erode the soil. This affects microorganism activity. Without knowing the extent of damage, corrective measures can’t be taken at the right time, which can lead to crop failure and severe degradation.

 

IRADA- Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratory is a specialized facility located in, Kushinagar, UP, offering a comprehensive range of tests to assess the health and quality of soil, water, and plants. This laboratory plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural practices, environmental monitoring, and research initiatives by providing accurate and detailed analyses.

The laboratory offers a variety of tests tailored to the needs of farmers, researchers, and environmentalists. Here are the key testing services available at IRADA:

 

Soil Testing

Soil testing provides a mechanism to identify farmers with land that is worse off or more vulnerable to climate risks. A digital soil testing kit that requires minimal training. It determines 14 parameters of soil, going beyond the NPK and testing for micronutrients too. The report, suggests crop-specific fertilizer doses for 100 crops and prints Soil Health Card.

Macro Nutrient Analysis (N, P, K)

• Measures the levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the soil, which are essential nutrients for plant growth and health.

Micro Nutrient Analysis

• Measures the levels of Sulphur, Calcium, Magnesium, Chlorine, Iron, Boron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper and Molybdenum

Organic Carbon (OC)

• Determines the amount of organic carbon present in the soil, indicating soil fertility and organic matter content.

Ph (Acidity/Alkalinity)

• Assesses the soil’s pH level, which influences nutrient availability to plants and overall soil health.

Electrical Conductivity (EC)

• Measures the soil’s ability to conduct electrical current, providing insights into salinity levels and nutrient availability.

Water Holding Capacity (WHC)

• Evaluates the soil’s capacity to retain water, which affects plant water availability and irrigation needs.

Texture Analysis

• Determines the soil texture (e.g., sand, silt, clay), influencing water retention, drainage, and nutrient availability.

Compost/Manure and Industrial Waste Analysis

• Assesses the quality and nutrient content of compost, manure, or industrial waste materials when used as soil amendments.

 

Plant Testing

Plant analysis is unique from other crop diagnostic tests in that it gives an overall picture of the nutrient levels within the plant at the time the sample was taken. Its use is based on the principle that the nutrient level present is a result of all factors affecting the growth of the plant.

Nutrient Analysis (N, P, K)

• Measures nutrient levels in plant tissues to assess nutritional status and identify deficiencies or excesses.

Chlorophyll Analysis

• Determines chlorophyll content, which reflects the plant’s photosynthetic activity and overall health.

 

Water Testing

Water is essential for the germination of seeds, growth of plant roots, and nutrition and multiplication of soil organisms. Water is essential in the hydraulic process in the plant. It helps in the conversion of starch to sugar. Test water to be used for irrigation by a reputable laboratory to determine the quality of the water for irrigation, choice of fertilizers for optimum plant growth, and minimizing the risk of discharging pollutants to the surface or groundwater. 

Ph (Acidity/Alkalinity)

• Evaluate water pH, crucial for aquatic life and irrigation suitability.

Electrical Conductivity (EC)

• Measures water’s electrical conductivity to assess salinity levels.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

• Determines the number of dissolved solids in water, affecting its quality for drinking or agricultural use.

Total Hardness

• Assesses water hardness due to calcium and magnesium content, impacting water quality and usage.

Soil, Water and Plant Testing Charges w.e.f. 01 April, 2024

S.N.	Material Type	Charges (Per Sample) Rs.
		Complete Test (Chemical and Physical)	Chemical Test Only (N, P, K, OC, pH, EC)	Physical Test Only (WHC, BD, Texture)
1.	Soil (Agriculture Land)	450/-	350/-	100/-
2.	Compost / Manure	550/-	550/-	–
3.	Industry waste/ Other	950/-	950/-	–
4.	Water	550/-	550/- (pH,EC,TDS andTotal Hardness- Ca + Mg)	–
5.	Plant	950/-	950/- (N,P,K and Chlorophyll)	500/- (Only Chlorophyll)