Salinity Sensor: A Reliable Tool for Monitoring in situ Soil Salinity under Saline Irrigation

摘要

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the use of salinity sensors with other methods currently being used for monitoring in situ soil salinity . Salinity sensors were installed in a field experiment receiving saline irrigation water for screening salt tolerant landscape trees. Soil salinity was measured by conventional analytical procedures (saturation-paste-extract, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 soil-water suspension) and the salinity sensors. Soil salinity measured by salinity sensors was very close to the irrigation water salinity than the conventional analytical methods and 1-1.5 times higher than the conventional methods (r = 0.98). The soil salinity measured by salinity sensors truly represented the salt concentration of soil solution encountered by the growing plants. The salinity sensors proved cost effective, more practical, easily operational and reliable tool for monitoring in situ soil salinity under saline irrigation for increasing agricultural production. It is strongly recommended that the use of salinity sensors should be encouraged for quick results of soil salinity than the conventional methods to improve water use efficiency and also to maximize the use of saline irrigation for increasing land productivity.