ARS | Publication request: EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES FOR SOIL EC MEASUREMENTS

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 9, 2000
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is gaining acceptance as a surrogate measure of soil properties such as salinity, moisture content, clay content, and topsoil depth. Soil EC sensors are commercially available and operate either in contact with the soil or without contact through the principle of electromagnetic induction. Although it is easy to collect and dmap georeferenced EC data with these sensors, operating procedures can greatly affect data quality and interpretation. In this work, we review the technologies and systems available for EC data collection. Principles and potential error sources of the different systems are contrasted. The effects of instrument and operational characteristics (e.g., instrument drift, changes in operating height or speed) and ambient conditions (e.g., soil moisture, temperature, plant material) are discussed.