Why is cation-exchange capacity (CEC)an important soil characteristic?
A)CEC is an indication of the soil permeability;the lower the CEC the higher the permeability.
B)CEC is a measure of soil fertility;the higher the CEC the higher the soil fertility.
C)CEC is an indirect way to measure soil pH;it indicates whether the soil is neutral,alkaline,or acidic.
D)CEC is used to infer soil texture without having to use a soil texture triangle.
E)CEC is a measure of all of the chemical properties of soil,providing a single,easy to obtain measurement.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cation-exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of a soil's ability to hold positively charged ions (such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium) and exchange them with the soil solution. A higher CEC indicates a greater capacity for nutrient retention and exchange, which is important for soil fertility.

Why Is Cation-Exchange Capacity (CEC)an Important Soil Characteristic