IMPROVE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY
Electrical Conductivity (EC)
A measure of electrical current in the soil.
Just as °Brix is a measurement of quality and health of the plant, Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a measure of the electrical current and biological activity in soil.
Using an EC Meter to measure ERGS (Energy Released Per Gram Per Second), we can monitor the interactions between minerals and microbes in the soil.
You cannot build high °Brix with low EC.
A window into microbial activity.
Well fed soil microbes will rapidly reproduce, grow, eat, breathe, and die. During a microbe’s life cycle, solutes and ions are released into the root zone of the soil (rhizosphere).
The life and death of soil microbes is a major contributor to the EC of soil and drives plant growth.
Maintaining a steady, high EC.
Many common products in industrial agriculture have inactive salt components which temporarily increase EC. But when the energy is used up, EC drops—this is when disease and insect pressure often sets in.
As soil managers our influence can either be positive or negative. You can monitor your success and make accurate soil input recommendations based on soil electrical conductivity, or you can ride the highs and lows of chemical farming. For optimal biological activity your soil’s EC should be maintained throughout the season in the listed ranges at left.