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Redox Potential in Irrigated Desert Soils as an Indicator of Aeration Status¹

ABSTRACT

The redox potential (Eh) of irrigated desert soils was evaluated under a wide range of conditions. Factors important in controlling Eh were temperature, flooding time, soil water content, and energy source. Field heterogeneity necessitated using 10 to 20 electrodes (placed in a 30-cm square) to characterize a treatment. The Eh varied over a short distance with variations not due to poisoning or erratic electrode readings.

A 5C increase in temperature at the 15-cm depth resulted in a 50-mV decrease in redox potential. The length of soil saturation time correlated directly with the decrease in Eh. When the soil was not saturated during irrigation (sprinkler or drip), Eh decreased less than when the soil was flooded. The amount of energy available to microorganisms has a major effect on how low the Eh decreased in a flooded soil.

¹ Contribution of the Western Region, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Brawley, Calif.

² Soil Scientists, Imperial Valley Cons. Res. Ctr., Brawley, Calif. 92227.

Received for publication January 13, 1975. Accepted for publication April 25, 1975.