EFFECTS OF PLANT ROOT OXYGEN DEPRIVATION IN RELATION TO WATER AND NITRATE UPTAKE FOR ROSE

R.J. Flannery, J.H. Lieth
Plants need oxygen to perform cellular respiration. Plants absorb oxygen through their roots. Past research has shown that reducing the concentration of oxygen in the rootzone of hydroponically grown rose plants will compromise the plants' ability to absorb nitrate and water, although this effect has not been quantified. The objective of this research was to quantify the effects of different oxygen concentrations in the rootzone on water and nitrate absorption rates. It was hypothesized that absorption rates would be reduced at the point at which the oxygen concentration in the rootzone became a limiting factor on the plants’ ability to perform cellular respiration. Hydroponically grown rose plants, Rosa hybrida 'Kardinal', were exposed to different oxygen concentrations and the water and nitrate absorption rates of each plant were measured. No noticeable correlation between water and nitrate absorption rates and rootzone oxygen concentration were observed. These results were contrary to past research and have led to the conclusion that data at lower concentrations of oxygen must be gathered to demonstrate a critical oxygen concentration for water and nitrate absorption. Data from lower oxygen concentrations may demonstrate the point at which the rootzone oxygen concentration becomes a limiting factor on cellular respiration.
Flannery, R.J. and Lieth, J.H. (2008). EFFECTS OF PLANT ROOT OXYGEN DEPRIVATION IN RELATION TO WATER AND NITRATE UPTAKE FOR ROSE. Acta Hortic. 766, 53-58
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.766.4
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.766.4
hydroponics, Rosa hybrida, nutrition, hypoxia
English

Acta Horticulturae