What is CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity)?

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is an indication of the soil’s ability to hold or absorb cations (positively charged elements/molecules), including many nutrients found in fertilizers such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The higher the CEC, the more nutrients the soil will hold. You can increase your soil's CEC by adding organic matter.

Image: cations found in soil include Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), and Sodium (Na). Blue represents water in the soil where the cations can dissolve, and the cations depicted bonded to the soil particle represent the CEC! Image source: Kyle MoJo via Wikimedia Commons.

How does CEC affect your lawn/garden? Click here to learn more!