Determining Salinity in Field Soils with Soil Resistance Measurements

A field method for assessing soil salinity is presented in which soil resistance measurements are made with an array of four electrodes placed in the immediate surface of a soil and a geophysical Megger‐type earth resistance meter. Measurements were made and the method tested in a series of field plots which were adjusted to various levels of salinity. Results are presented which show an excellent relationship between determined soil conductivities and soil salinities for the soil studied. The potential of this technique for assessing salinity in the field for diagnosis, survey, or management purposes is indicated. The method is simple, rapid, and eliminates the need for taking soil samples and making laboratory analyses for assessing soil salinity.