Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount of salts in soil (salinity of soil). It is an important indicator of soil health. … Excess salts hinder plant growth by affecting the soil-water balance. Soils containing excess salts occur naturally in arid and semiarid climates.
What does electrical conductivity in soil mean?
The electrical conductivity indicates the amount of soluble (salt) ions in soil. PRINCIPLE. The determination of electrical conductivity (EC) is made with a conductivity cell by measuring the electrical resistance of a 1:5 soil:water suspension.
How does electrical conductivity affect plant growth?
In general, higher EC hinders nutrient uptake by increasing the osmotic pressure of the nutrient solution, wastes nutrients, and the increases discharged of nutrients into the environment, resulting in environmental pollution. Lower EC may severely affect plant health and yield [2, 9].
Is EC the same as PPM?
ppm stands for parts per million & is the most common domestically used unit when measuring TDS. EC stands for electrical conductivity, which is a measurement of the ability of something to conduct electricity. In horticulture, EC is the most accurate way to measure nutrient concentration in solution.
What may be the relationship between pH and conductivity of soil?
It is possible that we can change the conductivity of water with constant pH. it is it is also possible to determine the concentration of salt in the solution. There is no direct relation between pH and conductivity. … pH indicates larger number of hydrogen ions in the soil”.
What causes high electrical conductivity in soil?
Nonsaline soils that have a higher EC value have more available nutrients than those that have a lower EC value. In arid areas, areas that receive less rainfall, and areas where saline irrigation water is applied, soluble salts are more likely to accumulate and remain near the soil surface, resulting in high EC.
What is value of electrical conductivity of saline soil?
The salinity of the soil (and also of water) is measured by electrical conductivity (EC), expressed in dS m−1 (deciSiemens per meter). Saline soil has an electrical conductivity higher than 2 dS m−1 (which is approximately 20 mM NaCl) at 25°C and has an exchangeable sodium of 15% (Abrol et al., 1988).
What is a good EC reading?
EC is a measure of the salts in your system—that is, the level of nutrients in your system. EC should be kept between 1.2 and 2.0. EC and pH meters are affordable and often come as one dual meter.
What happens if EC is too high?
EC that is too high can result in a physiological drought which restricts root water uptake by the plant, even when the substrate is moist. To correct for high EC, irrigate with clear water to the point of excessive leaching to wash out the extra salts. EC that is too low indicates insufficient nutrition (Photo 2).
What is the utility of soil pH?
The pH is important because it influences the availability of essential nutrients. Most horticultural crops will grow satisfactorily in soils having a pH between 6 (slightly acid) and 7.5 (slightly alkaline).
Why is EC important for soil?
Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount of salts in soil (salinity of soil). It is an important indicator of soil health. … Excess salts hinder plant growth by affecting the soil-water balance. Soils containing excess salts occur naturally in arid and semiarid climates.
Does pH down Increase EC?
pH goes up, EC goes down = Plants are feeding. Potentially raise nutrient levels. pH goes down, EC goes up = Plants are putting nutrient into the water rather than taking them out. … The reason this is ideal is that the plants are able to take up specific nutrients more efficiently at different pH levels.