HOW ARE YOUR OXYGEN LEVELS IN THE SOIL AFFECTING YOUR OUTCOMES?
Do you have crops or turf that are wilted, but you believe you have applied sufficient water?
Do you have organic crops exhibiting nutrient deficiencies when you know you have applied nutrients?
Are you continually addressing nutrient leachate and run-off issues?
Do you spend a great deal of time and money addressing root zone pathogens?
Knowing the oxygen content in the soil is as important as pH and EC. Although it plays a vital role in the health of plants, levels of dissolved oxygen(DO) in the irrigation water are often overlooked as an important production input. Most water sources contain some levels of dissolved oxygen, but they are generally not sufficient for proper functions in the root zone. Dissolved oxygen levels below 4 ppm in water is considered hypoxic and detrimental to plants.
Low levels of dissolved oxygen have resulted in reduced growth, reduced plant health, and anaerobic conditions producing increased disease incidence.
Appropriate levels of oxygen in the soil promote a better environment for the beneficial bacteria and inhibit the harmful bacteria and fungi in the root zone. Studies have shown that crops irrigated with oxygenated water converted more nitrogen into a plant-available form versus oxygen-deprived soils that allowed more nitrogen to be converted into gaseous forms of nitrogen and released into the air. Higher soil oxygen levels also deter the presence of nematodes.
The root system also requires oxygen for aerobic respiration, an essential process that releases the energy required for healthy root growth. The robust root mass created by this improved environment promotes additional nutrient uptake and will ultimately reduce nitrogen and phosphorus leachate, nutrient loss and water requirements.
Over the years, greenhouse growers have worked hard to create a growing media that is porous enough to allow aeration, but that creates issues with maintaining proper moisture levels and potential additional leachate.
In multiple trials, oxygen injection into the irrigation water has shown to increase the yield of irrigated crops over non-aerated irrigation in both traditional drip irrigation or subsurface drip irrigation systems. Other trials have shown some injection methods do not maintain the DO levels in the irrigation pipes between irrigation events. With Ag-Ox technology, we have shown the same levels days later.
Growers and producers have made many attempts to improve biological activity in the soil by using air, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, oxygen gas, and oxygen concentrator to add oxygen to the root zone. Some of which can be detrimental to beneficial bacteria in the root zone. It wasn’t until the advent of Ag-Ox’s patent-pending technology that you could have a reliable, measurable, easily adjustable, and cost-effective method to provide the proper levels of oxygen to the root zone through all current types of irrigation systems.
Regardless of whether you are in turf, row crop, or container production, our goal is to increase your yields while reducing your costs.
How can we help you
Agriculture
Soil health plays a critical role in maximizing your crop yield. Producers may have an understanding of the nutrients, pH, and EC, but often overlook the importance of appropriate soil oxygen levels as a production tool.
Turf
The shorter the grass is maintained, the greater the reduction of the root system. This results in a lower uptake of nutrients and water, and greater potential for stress events.
Client Observations
Several years ago, a Georgia blueberry producer began replacing his chemical regime for root pathogens with a biological approach. He has had a constant struggle with excessive water in the field. Since the introduction of an aggressive biology program and oxygen injection, he has been able to drastically reduce his chemical program and yet has increased total yields, fruit size and quality.
Let’s work together
It wasn’t until the advent of Ag-Ox’s patent-pending technology that you could have a reliable, measurable, easily adjustable, and cost-effective method to provide the proper levels of oxygen to the root zone through your existing irrigation system.
