| CIC meq/100 g | Level | Characteristics |
| 0 - 10 | Very low | Soils very poor, with an important deficiency of organic matter |
| 10 - 20 | Low | Soils poor, with a deficiency of organic matter |
| 20 - 35 | Medium | Medium soils |
| 35 - 45 | Medium high | Rich soils |
| >45 | High | Very rich soils |