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Measuring soil salinity
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posted on 2023-05-22, 13:50 authored by Marcus HardieMarcus Hardie, Richard DoyleRichard DoyleSoil salinity is a form of land degradation in which salts accumulate in the soil profile to an extent that plant growth or infrastructure are negatively affected. A range of both field and laboratory procedures exist for measuring soil salinity. In the field, soil salinity is usually inferred from apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) using a range of devices, depending on the required depth of analysis, or size of the survey area. Field measurements of ECa require calibration to the actual salt content by laboratory analysis. In the laboratory, soil salinity is usually assessed by determining either the total soluble salts by evaporation of a soil water extract (TSS), or by determining the electrical conductivity (EC) of either a 1:5 distilled water:soil dilution, or a saturated paste extract. Although procedures for measuring soil salinity appear relatively straightforward, differences in methodology have considerable influence on measured values and interpretation of results.
History
Publication title
Plant Salt Tolerance: Methods and ProtocolsEditors
S Shabala and TA CuinPagination
415-425ISBN
978-1-61779-985-3Department/School
Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)Publisher
Humana PressPlace of publication
New YorkExtent
28Rights statement
Copyright 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLCRepository Status
- Restricted