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DATA · GLOSSARY · SUBSTRATE PROPERTIES

What is water-holding capacity (WHC)?

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

Volume of water a substrate retains per unit volume after free drainage, expressed as mL/L or as a percentage. Coir pith WHC: 400–800 mL/L depending on particle size. WHC is a mandatory guarantee parameter for substrates sold in Brazil under IN MAPA 5/2016. Fine coir has the highest WHC; adding chips reduces it while increasing air porosity.

Water-holding capacity (WHC): equivalents.

PT: capacidade de retenção de água (CRA) · ES: capacidad de retención de agua (CRA)

Where it appears in a spec or lot report. On the label of substrates sold in Brazil, as a mandatory guarantee parameter (IN MAPA 5/2016).

Source: Blok/WUR · IN MAPA 5/2016 · Romero. Definition from the Carve coir glossary, where the full source list is given.

Related terms.

Wettability: Ease and speed with which a dry substrate absorbs water during rehydration.

Saturated media extract (SME): Analysis method where substrate is saturated with deionized water, allowed to equilibrate, and the solution is…

pH: Measure of hydrogen ion concentration indicating acidity or alkalinity.

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].