Electrical conductivity (EC) measures the concentration of dissolved salts or ions in a solution, such as a nutrient solution used in hydroponics or soil water. A higher EC means a higher concentration of dissolved salts, which increases the osmotic potential of the solution. Osmotic potential affects water movement; high EC increases osmotic potential, causing water to move away from the plant roots, potentially leading to water stress, even if water is available. Plants struggle to absorb water from a solution with high osmotic potential, leading to dehydration and wilting.
If EC is too high, it can be adjusted by diluting the nutrient solution with distilled water, or by flushing the grow medium to remove excess salts.