Measurement and Use of pH and Electrical Conductivity for Soil Quality Analysis
The analysis of soil quality is complex due to the many factors that make up a good soil. This chapter focuses on the measurement and use of pH, as a measure of soil acidity, and electrical conductivity (EC), an estimate of salt content or chemical supply, to evaluate soil quality. On-farm measurements of pH and EC are important for monitoring the effects of agricultural management practices on the efficiency of nitrogen use and related environmental impacts. Both pH and EC need to be measured since a good range for electrical conductivity could be found in an acid soil that was unsuitable for plant growth. The measurement of both pH and EC provides a more complete indication of the chemical nature of the soil. The parameters of EC and pH can be indicators of effects on biological activity where certain microbial mediated processes are affected by shifts in pH or EC.