Research at the University of Florida focused on evaluating whether oxygenation of irrigation water affected plant growth and substrate dissolved oxygen (DO) levels during mist propagation of unrooted cuttings and subsequent growth in containers.
There were no measured differences in root growth when ambient tap or oxygenated water was used during mist propagation of calibrachoa or lobelia. Water that passed through fine mist nozzles increased the droplet surface area decreasing DO in super-saturated water and increased DO in ambient tap water to 100% DO saturation (8.7 ppm).
Continued growth of three bedding plants were irrigated with nutrient supplemented water at ambient or oxygenated DO levels when pots dried to 45% of container capacity resulted in similar growth. Peat-based substrate contains high porosity facilitating oxygen supply to roots through air-filled pores.