saltClass: A function to classify types of salt-affected soils using EC, PH, and ESP
Description
This function determines the major classes of salt-affected soils using Electrical Conductivity (EC), soil reaction (pH), and Exchangeable Sodium Percent (ESP) according to FAO or USDA classification schemes
Usage
saltClass(ec,ph,esp)
Value
saltClass returns integer classes of salt problems in the soil. The classes are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 corresponding to None, Saline, Saline-sodic, Sodic, and Alkaline categories.
Arguments
ec
Electrical Conductivity in dS/m of saturated soil paste extract or its equivalent
ph
soil reaction (pH)
esp
Exchangeable Sodium Percent
Author
Christian Thine Omuto
References
FAO.2006. Guidelines for soil description. FAO. Rome
Richards, L. A. (ed.) 1954. Diagnosis and Improvement of Saline and Alkali Soils. U.S. Department Agriculture Handbook 60. U.S. Gov. Printing Office, Washington, DC.