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DATA · GLOSSARY · SUBSTRATE PROPERTIES

What is cation exchange capacity (CEC)?

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

Measure of a substrate’s ability to hold and exchange positively charged nutrient ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+. Coir has a moderate CEC, meaning it holds some nutrients between fertigation events. Buffering works by exploiting coir’s CEC to swap bound Na/K for Ca. CEC is not typically a guarantee parameter but influences fertigation management.

Cation exchange capacity (CEC): equivalents.

PT: capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC) · ES: capacidad de intercambio catiónico (CIC)

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

Related terms.

Container capacity: Maximum water content a container substrate holds after gravitational drainage, with no further suction.

Bulk density: Mass of substrate per unit volume, measured on a dry basis. Unit: kg/m³ or g/L. Coir pith bulk density: 40–90 kg/m³.

EC 1:1.5 extract: Dutch standard analysis method for substrate EC.

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

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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].