What does Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) measure?

Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) measures the neutralizing power of liming materials. This measure indicates how effectively a specific liming material can raise soil pH by neutralizing soil acidity. CCE is particularly important in agricultural practices because soil acidity can affect nutrient availability and overall plant health.

When liming materials, such as limestone or dolomite, are applied to acidic soils, their ability to raise the pH is determined by their CCE value. Materials with higher CCE values are more effective at neutralizing acidity than those with lower values. Understanding the CCE allows farmers and agronomists to select the appropriate amount and type of liming material to apply based on the specific acidity levels of their soils.

The other options do not accurately describe what CCE measures. Instead, they pertain to different aspects of soil science, such as nutrient availability, soil texture, and water retention, which are important in their own right but not related to the concept of CCE.