🌱 Soil Conductivity
🌊 What Is Electrical Conductivity (EC)?
Electrical conductivity measures how well soil conducts an electrical current, which depends on:
The amount of water in the soil
The concentration of dissolved salts (ions) in that water (e.g., Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻)
🔗 How Moisture Retention and Conductivity Are Connected:
| Moisture Retention | Affects Conductivity Because… |
|---|---|
| More moisture = more mobile ions | Higher water content allows salts to move freely, increasing EC |
| Dry soil = low conductivity | Less water means fewer free ions, lower EC |
| Retained water holds more salts in solution | High moisture-retaining soils can show higher EC if salts are present |
| Compacted or poorly structured soils | May hold water unevenly, affecting both EC and root uptake |
⚠️ Why It Matters:
High EC + high moisture = potential salinity stress for crops
Low EC in dry soils = may underestimate actual salt content
Balanced moisture retention + moderate EC = good root environment
📌 In the Context of Alba Agro:
Your digital soil diagnostics using satellite imagery and on-site sampling must consider both moisture retention and conductivity to:
Interpret nutrient availability
Assess soil health
Prevent yield losses due to salinity or compaction
Interpretation Guide
Soil conductivity reflects the concentration of soluble salts in the soil, which affects water absorption, root development, and ultimately crop productivity. Use this guide to understand how different levels of conductivity impact agricultural potential:
| Code | Description | Agronomic Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free from high salt concentrations that may temporarily inhibit general crop growth. | ✅ Ideal for all crops. No salinity-related limitations. Full agronomic potential. |
| 2 | Low salinity. In prolonged droughts, very sensitive crops may be slightly affected. | ⚠️ Suitable for most crops. Minor risk for highly sensitive varieties in dry spells. |
| 3 | Low salt concentration. Some very sensitive crops may face economic yield reductions under certain conditions. | ⚠️ Monitor crop selection. Tolerant varieties advised during critical stages. |
| 4 | Moderately saline. Recommended only for salt-tolerant crops. | 🧪 Requires careful crop planning. Consider halophytes or adapted varieties. |
| 5 | Saline soil pattern. Most agricultural crops will experience reduced productivity. | 🚫 Unsuitable for conventional crops. Consider soil management strategies or limited use. |
| 6 | Highly saline soil. Only highly salt-tolerant crops can survive, usually with supplemental irrigation. | 🚨 Extreme caution. Productivity is only viable with intensive management. |
| 7 | Extremely saline soil. Economically viable production is unlikely. | ❌ Not recommended for agriculture. Restoration or alternative land use should be considered. |
✅ Best Practices
Conduct regular monitoring during seasonal changes.
Combine conductivity data with soil texture, moisture, and crop type for deeper analysis.
Consider remediation strategies (e.g., gypsum application, improved drainage) in moderately or highly saline areas.
- Maps are available in 10 x 10 m resolution.
Available images every 5 days.
Table of contents including detailed parameters
Time lapse graphics to evaluate trends and deviations.