All Issue

2026 Vol.59, Issue 1 Preview Page

Original research article

Assessment of soil EC variation and its influence on crop productivity in plastic film greenhouse
Myung-sook Kim1*
,
Tae-Gu Lee2
,
Eun-jin Lee2
,
Ha-il Jung2
,
Seung-Gyu Lee3
,
Se-yeong Choi4
,
Mi-Hwa Moon5
,
Jin-Hee An6
1Agricultural Senior Researcher, Division of Soil and Water Environment, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
2Agricultural Researcher, Division of Soil and Water Environment, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
3Research Associate Fellowship, Division of Soil and Water Environment, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
4Senior Extension Worker, Pohang City Agricultural Technology Center, Pohang 464720, Korea
5Senior Extension Worker, Gwangju City Agricultural Technology Center, Gwangju 464720, Korea
6Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Division of Soil and Water Environment, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
*Corresponding Author
28 February 2026. pp. 25-38
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

Electrical conductivity (EC) is very important in improving soil quality and an crop production under plastic film greenhouse. To improve soil heath and crop yield, soil ions of influencing EC and their effects on crop yields were investigated. Soils were sampled from 20 spinaches (Spinacia oleracea), 13 tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and 18 green peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) farms of plastic film house. The results showed that average EC of spinach, tomato, and green pepper were 1.54 dS m-1, 4.09 dS m-1, and 3.49 dS m-1, respectively. EC of spinach and tomato showed a high correlation in the order of nitrate ion > chloride ion, and green pepper was that of chloride ion > potassium ion. EC ranges with high yields were 1.0 - 1.5 dS m-1, 1.0 - 2.0 dS m-1, and 2.5 - 3.5 dS m-1 for spinach, tomato, and green pepper, respectively. Crop’s salt tolerance increased as cation exchange capacity (CEC) improved. Salt tolerance of tomato and green pepper with root stocks increased compared to that suggested by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), while that of spinach with seedlings did not increase much. To maintain EC optimum range, nutrient ions that increase EC be analyzed periodically, the corresponding amount of fertilizer should be decreased during cultivation, and salt removal activities sould be carried out.

Comparison of crop tolerance to EC in farm and FAO with (a) spinach, (b) tomato, and (c) green pepper.
Keywords
EC
Farm’s plastic film ouse
Green pepper
Spinach
Tomato
References
1

Abrol IP, Yadav JSP, Massoud FI. 1988. Salt-affected soils and their management. FAO Soils Bulletin 39. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

2

Choi JY, Yoon YE, Choe HJ, Godagedara LT, Lee KA, Kim SC, Kim YN, Lee YB. 2024. Influences of continuous wood-derived biochar application on soil chemical properties and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) yield. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 57:96-105. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.2.096

10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.2.096
3

Chung HD, Choi YJ. 2001. Morphological changes of tissue in cucumber seedlings grown in high soil EC. Hort. Sci. Technol. 19:501-504.

4

Chung HD, Choi YJ. 2002. Growth responses on varying soil EC and selection of salt-tolerant rootstock of tomato (Lycopersicon spp.). Hortic. Environ. Biotechnol. 43:536-544.

5

Elmajdoub B, Marschner P. 2015. Responses of soil microbial activity and biomass to salinity after repeated additions of plant residues. Pedosphere 25:177-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(15)60002-9

10.1016/S1002-0160(15)60002-9
6

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 1985. Annex 1. Crop salt tolerance data. https://www.fao.org/4/y4263e/y4263e0e.htm (accessed on Aug. 16. 2025).

7

Ghosh U, Thapa R, DeSutter T, He YB, Chatterjee A. 2017. Saline-sodic soils: Potential sources of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions. Pedosphere 27:65-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(17)60296-0

10.1016/S1002-0160(17)60296-0
8

Heo JY, Cho HJ, Han EH, Ahn DC, Lee YH, Kwon JH. 2021. Effect of biochar application on improvement of soil environment. Annual research report of Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services. Jinju, Korea.

9

Jun HJ, Shin YS, Suh JK. 2012. Soil EC and yield and quality of oriental melon(Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa Mak.) as affected by fertigation. J. Bio-Env. Con. 21:186-191.

10

Jung YS, Joo JH, Hong SD, Lee IB, Ro HM. 2001. Discussion on dilution factor for electrical conductivity measured by saturation-paste extract and 1:5 soil to water extract, and CEC of Korean Soils. Korean J. Soil Sci. & Fert. 34:71-75.

11

Kim MS, Kim SC, Park SJ, Lee CH. 2018. Analysis of commercial organic compost manufactured with livestock manure. J. KORRA. 26:21-29. https://doi.org/10.17137/korrae.2018.26.4.21

10.17137/korrae.2018.26.4.21
12

Kim MS, Kim YH, Roh MY, Kang SS, Yoon HB, and Lee HY. 2012. Effect of chelating agents on the growth of Chinese cabbage and availability of nutrients in plastic film house soils. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 45:949-954. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2012.45.6.949

10.7745/KJSSF.2012.45.6.949
13

Kim MS, Jeon SH, Lee TG, Jung HI. 2022. Effects of DTPA, HEDTA, and EDDS on the growth of watermelon and chemical properties of plastic film house Soil. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 55:380-389. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2022.55.4.380

10.7745/KJSSF.2022.55.4.380
14

Kim YK. 2022. Contributions of major cations and anions to electrical conductivities of 1:5 extracts obtained from paddy and upland soils: Ionic compositions and empirical modeling. Ph.D. Thesis. Chungbuk National University, Chungju, Korea.

15

Kong MS, Kim YH, Kim DJ, Kang SS, Lee EJ, Jung GB, Jung HI. 2018. Agricultural soil management practices by assessing the soil chemical properties of plastic film house in Korea. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 51:576-585. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2018.51.4.576

10.7745/KJSSF.2018.51.4.576
16

Lee CK, Seo KW, Lee GJ, Choi SU, Ahn BK, Ahn MS, Seo DS, Yoon SI. 2019. Nutrient uptake and growth of watermelons in DTPA-treated saline soil in a plastic film greenhouse. Hort. Sci. Technol. 37:32-41. https://doil.org/10.12972/kjhst.20190004

10.12972/kjhst.20190004
17

Lee GJ, Kang BK, Kim HJ, Park SK, Min KB. 2001. Effect of nitrogen fertilizers on soil pH, EC, NO3-N, and lettuce (Lactuce Sativa L.) growth. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 34:122-128.

18

Lee KM, Lee DJ, Kim JW, Hong YK, Kim SC. 2024. Effect of chelating agent treatment on nutrient leaching and crop growth in plastic film house. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 57:320-330. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.4.320

10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.4.320
19

Lee ST, Kim YB, Lee YH, Lee SD. 2006. Effect of fertigation concentration on yield of tomato and salts accumulation in soils with different EC level under PE film house. Korean J. Environ. Agric. 25:64-70. https://doi.org/10.5338/KJEA.2006.25.1.064

10.5338/KJEA.2006.25.1.064
20

Lee YH, Yang MS, Yun HD. 1996. Effect of plant-growth-promoting-bacteria inoculation on the growth and yield of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) with different soil electrical conductivity level. J. Korean Soc. Soil Sci. Fert. 29:396-402.

21

NAAS (National Academy of Agricultural Science). 2010. Methods of soil analysis. Rural Development Administration (RDA), Suwon, Korea.

22

NAS (National Institute of Agricultural Science). 2017. Investigation and analysis methods for soil physical properties. Wanju, Korea.

23

NAS (National Institute of Agricultural Science). 2022. Fertilizer application recommendations for crop plants. NAS, Wanju, Korea.

24

NAS (National Institute of Agricultural Science). 2021. Monitoring project on agri-environment quality for 22 years in Korea. NAS, Wanju, Korea.

25

NIAST (National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology). 2000. Methods of soil and plant analysis. RDA, Suwon, Korea.

26

Oh SE, Son JS, Ok YS, Joo JH. 2010. A modified methodology of salt removal through flooding and drainage in a plastic film house soil. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 43:565-571.

27

Oh SS. 2009. Effects of night temperature and electrical conductivity on the growth and physiological response of grafted pepper seedling in protected cultivation. Ph.D. Thesis. Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.

28

RDA. 2024. Agricultural income data collection. RDA, Jeonju, Korea.

29

Ryu IS, Lee IH, Hwang SW. 1995. The chemical properties of plastic-house soil and yield responses of green pepper. J. Korean Soc. Soil Sci. Fert. 28:241-248.

30

Yang SK, Seo YW, Lee YS, Kim HW, Ma KC, Lim KH, Kim HJ, Kim JG, Jung WJ. 2011. Effects of green manure crops on red-pepper yields and soil physico-chemical properties in the vinyl house. Korean J. Org. Agric. 19:215-228.

31

Yang Y, Guo Y. 2018. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms mediating plant salt-stress responses. New Phytol. 217:523-539. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14920

10.1111/nph.14920
32

Zhao YG, Li Y, Wang SJ, Wang J, Xu LZ. 2020. Combined application of a straw layer and flue gas desulphurization gypsum to reduce soil salinity and alkalinity. Pedosphere 30:226-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(17)60480-6

10.1016/S1002-0160(17)60480-6
Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
  • Volume : 59
  • No :1
  • Pages :25-38
  • Received Date : 2025-09-23
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-27
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-01
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2026.59.1.025
Journal Informaiton Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
KJSSF Online Submission
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close