EFFECTS OF OXYGEN ENRICHMENT NUTRIENT SOLUTION WITH DIFFERENT OXYGEN SOURCES ON SOILLESS GROWN TOMATO.

In summer time when the temperature is high in greenhouse and the water's oxygen transport capacity is low, oxygen deficiency problem could be encountered due to high root and microorganism respiration rate, inadequate and frequent water application. Oxygen enrichment of nutrient solution may have an important role in terms of plant growing in order to solve this problem. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effects of oxygen enrichment (oxyfertigation) of the tomato nutrient solution with 2 different oxygen sources (pure oxygen with a pressurized oxygen tube and aeration with compressor) on plant growth, yield, fruit quality, water and nutrient use. The data obtained from autumn and spring periods showed that the application of oxyfertigation increased the root biomass in particular and did not cause any significant difference on other measured parameters. Yield, quality, plant growth, water consumption, nutrient content were affected by the growing periods, and the parameters in question were higher in spring. It was concluded that among the evaluated oxygen sources -, aeration with compressor giving air bubbles to the nutrient solution could be a preferable application since it is economical and more practical than pure oxygen application with oxygen tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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