What is soil electrical conductivity(EC)?

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a metric for how much salt is in the soil (salinity). It’s a good indicator of nutrient availability and loss, as well as soil texture and water capacity. It has an impact on crop yields, soil suitability for certain crops, the amount of water and nutrients available for plant use, and the activity of soil microorganisms, all of which influence essential soil processes including greenhouse gas emissions, such as nitrogen oxides, methane, and carbon dioxide.