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BD Now! Soil EC meters to measure phosphorus and more.... Univ of Missouri research
Scientists Explore Applications for Soil Conductivity Testing
Missouri Ag Connection - 04/16/2004
http://www.missouriagconnection.com/story-state.cfm?Id=225&yr=2004
When the concept of soil electrical conductivity was first introduced,
some scientists
called it "a solution looking for a problem." There is no longer a
shortage of problems
to which soil electrical conductivity (EC) can be gainfully applied. It
can measure
topsoil depth and texture, organic matter, water holding capacity,
salinity and
other important factors.
Many people are unaware that soil conducts electricity, or that a
measurement of
that conductivity can provide valuable information. Because water, salts
and clay
particles conduct better than soil air pockets, organic matter, silt or
sand, soil
EC sensors can provide useful soil profiles at a fraction of the cost of
conventional
grid sampling.
To map soil EC, a soil EC sensor is combined with Global Positioning
Systems,
and observations are collected on-the-go over a field. There are two types
of equipment used to measure soil EC. One uses electrodes that penetrate
the
soil and emit an electric current while another electrode pair senses
and records
the electricity conducted from one set to another. The second method
induces
a magnetic field into the soil profile while a sensor mounted behind the
towing
vehicle measures the current and collects the data. Both can generate maps
of soil EC that can be profitably compared to yield maps and other data.
One recent application of the technology is to determine the amount of soil
phosphorus in different parts of a field to which poultry litter has
been applied.
As stricter regulations are implemented regarding the disposal of animal
waste,
poultry producers will need to manage the waste more efficiently to reduce
the risk of environmental contamination. Over-application of poultry litter
on crop or pasture fields results in high phosphorus content that can
pollute
streams, lakes and reservoirs.
Scientists from the University of Missouri and Oklahoma State University
teamed up with state and federal agencies to see whether soil EC
measurements
could efficiently estimate whether soil is low enough in phosphorus to bear
more applications.
etc.......
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