Comparison of different methods of electrical conductivity determination for assessment of salinity in soils of coastal region, West Bengal

Abstract

Electrical conductivity of soil saturation paste extract (ECe) was determined in soil samples (Inceptisols) collected from different locations of Canning II block, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal under coastal agro-ecosystem for assessment of soil salinity. Electrical conductivity (EC) was also determined in extracts of 1:5, 1:2.5 and 1:1 soil: water ratio and compared with ECe. Results showed high significant correlation between electrical conductivity values measured in saturated paste extracts and in extracts of different soil to water ratios. Strength of correlation for linear regression model suggested greater reliability on EC (1:5) for predicting ECe (R2 = 0.985) than EC (1:2.5) (R2 = 0.857) and EC (1:1) (R2 = 0.847). A linear regression equation viz. ECe = 4.834 EC (1:5) + 0.437 is proposed for routine conversion in soils of the study region.