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DATA · GLOSSARY · PROCESSING

What is buffering?

Coir glossary · Updated 2026-09-22 · Also in Português →

Chemical treatment of coir pith with a calcium solution — typically calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) or calcium chloride (CaCl2) — that exchanges bound potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) for calcium (Ca2+) at the coir’s cation exchange sites. After buffering, the substrate releases far less K and Na into the nutrient solution, preventing interference with fertigation programs. EC after buffering: typically <0.4 mS/cm (1:5 method). The Ca2+ that displaced Na/K becomes chemically bound and is not directly plant-available.

Buffering: equivalents.

PT: tamponamento · ES: tamponado / acondicionamiento con calcio

On Carve’s coir pith specification, EC is measured and reported per lot (1:5 method): Natural grade typically 0.8–1.5 mS/cm; Washed, EC reduced by freshwater washing; Buffered, washed plus calcium and magnesium treatment. The EC limit is fixed in the customer’s contract (source: Carve Coir Pith specification).

Source: Romero · RHP · Cadena. Definition from the Carve coir glossary, where the full source list is given.

Related terms.

Washing: Passing fresh water through coir pith to remove soluble salts — primarily potassium (K+), sodium (Na+) and chloride…

Calcium buffering: See Buffering.

Cation exchange capacity (CEC): Measure of a substrate’s ability to hold and exchange positively charged nutrient ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+.

See also: Coir pith from Brazil: specification checklist · back to the coir glossary.

CARVE
About this page. Part of the coir glossary maintained by Carve Biorrefinaria Agroindustrial Ltda, a coir pith and fiber producer in Paraipaba, Ceará, Brazil. Corrections: [email protected].