DATA · GLOSSARY · CROP & APPLICATION

What is a retention curve?

Coir glossary · Updated 2026-09-22

Graph plotting substrate water content against applied suction or tension. The retention curve shows how a substrate releases water as roots extract moisture, revealing the “easily available water” and “buffering water” fractions at different tensions. More informative than simple composition ratios (70:30, 80:20 pith:chip) which are not standardized and do not predict actual hydraulic behavior.

Retention curve: equivalents.

PT: curva de retenção · ES: curva de retención

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

Related terms.

Run-to-waste: Open hydroponic system where nutrient solution drains through the coir substrate and is not recirculated.

Hydroponics: Soilless plant cultivation using mineral nutrient solutions, with or without a solid growing medium.

Soilless culture: Any cultivation system that replaces natural soil with substrates (coir, peat, perlite, rockwool, composted bark) or…

See also: Coir Pith · 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].