Improving Crop Yield with Proper Soil Testing
After working day and night, if your field is not yielding good crops, there is no need to blame your luck. Good crop yield doesn’t just depend on timely sowing and fertilizers, but also on soil rich in nutrients. If you are facing the same issue, get your soil tested at the agricultural department’s soil testing laboratory in your district. By doing so, you can ensure that your crops start flourishing in your fields.
The Importance of Soil Testing for Healthy Crops
Just like humans need a balanced diet with all vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy, soil also requires all essential nutrients for healthy crop growth. According to Assistant Research Officer Ashok Kumar at the soil testing laboratory in Supaul district’s agriculture office, regular soil testing is necessary to determine the presence of nutrients in the soil. By using the right amount of fertilizers based on soil test reports, you can achieve better crop yields. Soil testing also helps in understanding the pH levels and salt content in the soil.
Sampling Technique for Soil Testing
Soil testing should be done before and after crop harvesting. To collect soil samples, take samples from five locations in a plot, including four corners and one from the center. Spread the samples on paper or plastic to dry. Divide the dried soil into three to four parts and discard two parts. The remaining 400 grams of soil is sent to the testing laboratory, where it takes 3-4 hours to analyze each sample. The report is usually provided by the office within 10 days after testing.
मोहन प्रकाश/सुपौल के एक किसान ने दिन-रात मेहनत करने के बाद भी अच्छी पैदावार नहीं होने पर मिट्टी की जांच करवाई और खाद की जरूरत निकाली। सुपौल जिले के कृषि कार्यालय की मिट्टी जांच प्रयोगशाला से मिट्टी की जांच कराने के बाद उन्हें उचित मात्रा में खाद का इस्तेमाल कर बेहतर उपज प्राप्त की जा सकती है। इससे उनके खेत में फसल लहलहाने लगी और उन्हें स्वस्थ उपज मिलने लगी।
