An Investigation of the Relationship between the Electrical Conductivity of the Soil Saturated Paste Extract ECe with the Respective Values of the Mass Soil/Water Ratios 1:1 and 1:5 (EC1:1 and EC1:5)

Abstract

The standard methodology for the soil salinity assessment is provided through the determination of the electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil saturated paste extract, ECe. This approach is cumbersome and tedious. Instead of this, it appears easier to measure the EC of various soil over water mass ratios, (soil:water), such as 1:1, 1:5. In the present study an attempt is made to compare the ECe methodology with the methods providing the EC1:1 and EC1:5. ECe, and EC1:1 or EC1:5 values were obtained from 198 soil samples from 5 different locations in Greece. It was shown that the methods providing EC1:1 and EC1:5 values are linearly correlated to the ECe methodology with a high correlation coefficient (R 2 > 0.93).

Soil Salinity Assessment Using Saturated Paste and Mass Soil:Water 1:1 and 1:5 Ratios Extracts

“…According to [20], the EC e , EC 1:1 , and EC 1:5 values of the 198 soil samples were classified into three classes, i.e., 0-2, 2-4 και > 4 dS m −1 , presented in Table 2 along with their respective percentages. The soil sample electrical conductivities varied between 0.47 and 37.5 dS m −1 for the saturation paste extract, from 0.16 to 20.1 dS m −1 for the 1:1 extract, and from 0.10 to 5.08 for the 1:5 extract.…”

A New Approach for Estimating Soil Salinity Using A Low-Cost Soil Sensor In Situ: A Case Study in Saline Regions of China’s East Coast

“…Osmotic stress disrupts plants' water uptake [5] whereas ion toxicity hampers enzymes responsible for metabolic processes including photosynthesis [6], leading to reduced crop yield [7]. Information on soil salinity is critical for assessing soil suitability for plant growth and agricultural productivity [8]. Keeping track of changes in soil salinity can help making well-informed management decisions to reduce salinity-induced stress on plants [2].…”

“…To determine soil salinity, soil samples were usually collected in situ and transported to a laboratory for analysis. Soil salinity is generally measured by ECe in the laboratory [8] following the standard method established by the United States Department of Agriculture [10]. ECe is better linked with plant response under salinity stress than other indices [11].…”

“…ECe is better linked with plant response under salinity stress than other indices [11]. However, preparing saturated soil-paste extracts requires highly skilled laboratory technicians [8,12], and the quality of the paste has a direct impact on the ECe readings. Hence, the electrical conductivity of the 1:5 soil:water extracts (EC 1:5 ) is widely used to determine the soil salinity instead of ECe in some countries such as Australia, China, and Central Asia [13] because the 1:5 soil:water extracts are faster and easier to prepare [8,14].…”

An Ecological Overview of Halophytes and Salt-Affected Soils at El Hito Saline Pond (Central Spain): Baseline Study for Future Conservation–Rehabilitation Measures

“…Although the soil-science community has generated abundant information on the current state of soil salinity [1][2][3][4][5], the idea still persists that salt-affected soils of high salinity are of low quality. Nevertheless, wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth and provide various key ecosystem services for humans and other flora and fauna.…”