High levels of salt, or salinity, in a soil can seriously impair the ability of a plant to be productive. It can even kill plants.
Pure water cannot conduct electricity. However, the presence of the smallest amount of salt in water enables water to become an electrical conductor.
In fact, that’s how soil experts test the salinity in soil.
Since saline soil is detrimental to plant growth and productivity, and since desert soil generally contains high levels of salt, it’s a good idea to have your soil tested.
The experts at your County Extension Service, or at your local agricultural college or university, will use a conductivity meter to see how well electricity is conducted through your soil.
The better the conductivity, the higher the salt content.
But there are many different types of salt, and each has different conductivity characteristics. Fertilizers, for instance, are considered salts, and when dissolved in water, they conduct electricity.
When you have your soil tested for salinity, the lab technicians will mix the soil with distilled water to test the soil.
Distilled water has zero (0) conductivity, while solutions like ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate have significantly higher conductivity.
Even tap water can vary from location to location in its level of salinity. If you are using tap water to irrigate your plants, it would probably be a good idea to have the salinity of your tap water tested as well.
To have your soil tested, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service (also known as the County Agent’s office). Every county in the U.S. has one.
You can find them listed under county offices in your phone book.
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