Time domain reflectometry (TDR) is a newly developed method for measuring simultaneously solute concentrations and volumetric water content of soil. Bulk electrical conductivity ($EC_a$) of soil is obtained from TDR signal using several equations prop...
Time domain reflectometry (TDR) is a newly developed method for measuring simultaneously solute concentrations and volumetric water content of soil. Bulk electrical conductivity ($EC_a$) of soil is obtained from TDR signal using several equations proposed, and electrical conductivity of soil solution ($EC_w$) can be calculated using the linear relationship $EC_a=EC_w\theta(a\theta+b)+EC_s$ between $EC_a$ and $EC_w$ at constant soil water content. The objectives of this study were to evaluate $EC_a$ proposed by several workers and to obtain the empirical constants (a, b, and $EC_s$) for $EC_w$ of the soils from A, Bl, and B2 horizon of an agricultural field (Coarse loamy, Fluvaquentic Eutrudepts). The $EC_a$ proposed by Yanuka et al. responded most sensitively to the KCl solute concentrations. The empirical constants of a, b, and $EC_s$ for $EC_w$ were -0.249, 1.358, and 0.054 for A horizon, -2.518, 2.708, and 0.097 for Bl horizon, and 2.490, -0.250, and 0.103 for B2 horizon, respectively. Therefore, the results of this study showed that Yanuka et al. equation was most useful one in determining $EC_a$, from TDR signal for agricultural soil with low salinity and that the empirical constants for the calculation of $EC_w$, from $EC_a$ can be obtained through a simple calibration experiment.