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12.2 pH, Conductivity & Salinity Measurement of Soil & Potting Mix.
The Department of Primary Industries Soils Testing Section recommend the
following methods for pH and Salinity/Conductivity measurements in particular
soils. Listed below are two methods of measurement.
Soils Method - A
1:5 (Weight/Volume)
This has been the standard method used in Australia for measuring the pH and
Salinity/Conductivity of soils. This method is suitable only for soils, and then
mainly when you want to compare the results with earlier results obtained with
this method, or when the sample of soil is too small to make a saturated paste.
1.
Weigh 40g of air-dry soil into a clean screw-topped glass or plastic jar with a
capacity of about 250ml.
2.
Add 200ml of distilled or deionised water.
3.
Shake thoroughly every 5 minutes for 1 hour,
OR: Shake thoroughly after adding water, leave stand overnight, and shake
thoroughly again the next morning.
4.
Allow the suspension to settle for 15 minutes or longer.
5.
Measure the Conductivity, Salinity, or pH by dipping the electrodes just into
the liquid or suspension.
NOTE:
pH readings taken with this method are slightly higher in pH than those
taken with other methods. The hydrogen ions in the soil are diluted by the larger
volume of water used.
For the Conductivity and Salinity measurements, make sure the vent-hole in the
side of the electrode cover is submerged under the surface of the solution. It may
be necessary to pour off the liquid from the sample into a smaller container to do
this correctly.