Base Saturation Calculator

Calculate Base Saturation Percentage



Formula

The formula to calculate the base saturation percentage is:

\[ BS = \left( \frac{SBC}{CEC} \right) \times 100 \]

Where:

What is Base Saturation?

Base saturation is a measure of the proportion of soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) that is occupied by base cations, such as calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), potassium (K⁺), and sodium (Na⁺). It is expressed as a percentage and indicates the fertility and nutrient availability of the soil. A higher base saturation percentage generally means that the soil has a higher capacity to retain essential nutrients, making it more fertile and suitable for plant growth.

Example Calculation

Let's assume the following values:

Using the formula:

\[ BS = \left( \frac{10}{15} \right) \times 100 \approx 66.67\% \]

The base saturation percentage is approximately 66.67%.