Cation exchange capacity is a critical indicator of soil health. I would really like to know which nature-based solutions such as biochar, compost, and others can help to increase the soil cation exchange capacity and how this can be done.
Dear Elaheh Daghighi . This can be done by improving CEC in weathered soils by adding lime and raising the pH. Otherwise, adding organic matter is the most effective way of improving the CEC of your soil. See the useful link: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/soils/guides/soil-nutrients-and-fertilisers/cec
Kindly see also the following useful link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cation-exchange-capacity
Also check please the following useful RG link: Article Enhancing Cation Exchange Capacity of Weathered Soils Using ...
The following RG link is also very useful: Article Black Carbon Increases Cation Exchange Capacity in Soils
Visit kindly the following useful RG link: Article Predicting Soil Cation Exchange Capacity in Entisols with Di...
Thank you @Aref Wazwaz for sharing these useful links. I will go through them to find an optimal solution to my question.
Organic matter additions also help, but the effect is often short lived; nonetheless, annual inputs of crop residues and other biomass are useful.
I agree with Paul Milham that organic matter will increase CEC. Enclosed is the relationship of Carbon to CEC.
Soil organic matter can be optimized by using cover crops and crop pasture systems.
When soil organic matter calcium and clay are combined stabilized SOM can results from the effect on aggregation.
Biochar can be very useful in acid soils and give a liming effect.
Sandy soils can be helped by additions of silt and clay which will increase their CEC.
Thank you@Paul Reed Hepperly for your answer. Your comments are really helpful.
In a sandy soil the addition of silt and clay can work to increase CEC.
The CEC can be optimized by liming acid soils.
The liming can work both because of the pH but also by augmenting Calcium supply.
Thank you @Paul Reed Hepperly for sharing your valuable opinion about the ways how to increase CEC.
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