Conversion of electromagnetic inductance readings to saturated paste extract values in soils for different temperature, texture and moisture conditions

Linear equations were developed for converting electromagnetic induction readings (EC a ) from EM38 meters to saturated paste electrical conductivity values (EC c ). To correlate EM38 readings with measured EC e values, field sites representing a range of salinity conditions were sampled in 0.30-m i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of soil science 1989-02, Vol.69 (1), p.25-32
Main Authors: McKenzie, R.C, Chomistek, W, Clark, N.F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties
electrical conductivity
electromagnetism
electrometric methods
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
mathematical models
meters (equipment)
Methods and techniques
Mineral components. Ionic and exchange properties
Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils
regression analysis
soil salinity
Soil science
soil temperature
soil texture
soil water content
variation
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Summary:Linear equations were developed for converting electromagnetic induction readings (EC a ) from EM38 meters to saturated paste electrical conductivity values (EC c ). To correlate EM38 readings with measured EC e values, field sites representing a range of salinity conditions were sampled in 0.30-m increments to a depth of 1.5 m. Adapting a weighting procedure based on the EM38 meter's response to depth, EC e values were condensed into a single weighted value. The weighted EC e values were linearly correlated with temperature-corrected EC a readings. Equations were designed for soils of various textures under varying temperature and moisture conditions. For accurate EC a to EC e conversions, soil temperature correction of EC a is essential. When a frozen layer is present, EM38 readings are unreliable. EM38 horizontal and vertical modes show different EC a readings for the same depth-weighted EC e . Variability of EC a to EC e conversion was greater on coarse-textured than medium- or fine-textured soils. Available soil moisture should be above 30% for accurate EC e determinations from EC a readings. Key words: Salinity methods, soil salinity, saturated paste extract method, electromagnetic inductance meters, soil temperature
ISSN:0008-4271
1918-1841
DOI:10.4141/cjss89-003