What does CEC stand for in greenhouse management?

Cation Exchange Capacity, commonly abbreviated as CEC, is a crucial concept in greenhouse management and soil science. It refers to the ability of soil to hold and exchange cations, which are positively charged ions such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and ammonium. A higher CEC indicates a greater capacity of the soil to retain essential nutrients that plants need for growth and development.

In a greenhouse setting, understanding CEC helps in making informed decisions regarding soil amendments, fertilizer applications, and overall nutrient management strategies. This is essential for optimizing plant health and yields because it directly affects how well plants can absorb nutrients from the soil.

The other options provided do not accurately define CEC in the context of greenhouse management. Crop Edibility Control relates more to food safety and regulations, Constant Evaporation Cycle is not a standard term used in greenhouse management, and Carbon Emission Concentration pertains to environmental science rather than soil nutrient dynamics.