The cation exchange capacity (CEC) shows how well a soil can hold onto and store cations, so a soil with a high CEC would be able to hold more nutrients. A soil with low CEC for example would not only be missing some important nutrients but would also not be able to hold onto nutrients as well as a soil with a higher CEC. So even adding nutrients to a soil with a low CEC would not be very effective in improving fertility unless soil conditioning was applied that would help improve the CEC as well. Soils with a lot of cations can also hold onto water better since water is a polar molecule and is therefore attracted to the positively charged cations (hydrogen bonding). Plants that grow in soils with a high CEC value do not have to spend as much energy looking for minerals and water and therefore are able to devote it towards growth. Microorganisms that are essential for good soil health also thrive in these conditions. However, a soil with a high CEC can also hold more of the acidic hydrogen cations (H+). So when the soil pH of a soil with a high CEC needs to be adjusted it often acts as a buffer and therefore more acid or base is need to change the pH.
Exchangeable acidity is a measure of the amount of a soil's cation exchange capacity (CEC) that is occupied by acidic cations. By acidic cations, soil scientists generally mean H+ and Al3+, but it can also include Fe and Mn cations. Aluminum and iron cations will combine with OH- ions and take it out of solution, forming an insoluble compound. Exchangeable acidity is typically reported as a percentage of CEC, or in milliequivalents/100 g of soil.
by horticulture
Adding organic matter.
Techniques for improved soil conservation include crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage and planted windbreaks, affect both erosion and fertility.
The cation exchange capacity (CEC) shows how well a soil can hold onto and store cations, so a soil with a high CEC would be able to hold more nutrients. A soil with low CEC for example would not only be missing some important nutrients but would also not be able to hold onto nutrients as well as a soil with a higher CEC. So even adding nutrients to a soil with a low CEC would not be very effective in improving fertility unless soil conditioning was applied that would help improve the CEC as well. Soils with a lot of cations can also hold onto water better since water is a polar molecule and is therefore attracted to the positively charged cations (hydrogen bonding). Plants that grow in soils with a high CEC value do not have to spend as much energy looking for minerals and water and therefore are able to devote it towards growth. Microorganisms that are essential for good soil health also thrive in these conditions. However, a soil with a high CEC can also hold more of the acidic hydrogen cations (H+). So when the soil pH of a soil with a high CEC needs to be adjusted it often acts as a buffer and therefore more acid or base is need to change the pH.
cec subjects intermediate
cec subjects intermediate
Cec Blinkhorn was born in 1892.
Cec McCormack died in 1995.
Cec Blinkhorn died in 1978.
Cec Dixon was born in 1891.
Cec Dixon died in 1969.
CEC Palace was created in 1900.
Cec Parkin died in 1943.
Cec Fifield was born in 1904.
Cec Fifield died in 1957.