Soil electrical conductivity as affected by the extraction method and soil texture (Case Study: Soufian Plain of Tabriz, Iran)

Using suitable and precise methods to measure soil salinity, as a common issue in different parts of the world, is of significant importance. Accordingly, it can be beneficial to decrease the complexity of methods, which are expensive and timely, using the simpler ones. Soil electrical conductivity is among the most important quantitative parameters, commonly used for the estimation of soil salinity. Although uses of saturated paste extract (ECe) for the measurement of soil salinity is a common method, it is difficult and time-consuming. Hence, in this research work different ratios of soil to water (S/W) including ۱:۱, ۱:۲ and ۱:۵ were also used to measure soil salinity (EC) for ۹۱ soil samples, with different textures, from Soufian Plain in Tabriz, Iran. The results showed that there is a high correlation between ECe and EC values (especially, for the ۱:۱ ratio). The corresponding correlation coefficients (R۲) for ۱:۱, ۱:۲ and ۱:۵ ratios were equal to ۰.۹۷۶, ۰.۹۶۰ and ۰.۹۵۰, respectively. The R۲ values increased when soil texture was medium or heavy. Using the method of S/W to determine soil salinity may be a faster and more favorable method in comparison with the method of saturated paste extract, though soil texture is also a determining parameter.

Keywords:

Electrical conductivity (EC) , saturated paste extract , soil texture , soil to water ratio.