Watering with highly saturated levels of dissolved oxygen embedded in water molecules creates a strong aerobic environment eliminating destructive pathogens while increasing the plants ability for increased nutrient uptake.
Increased Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Commercial growers who irrigate with water that contains super-saturated levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) can drastically increase the plants ability to utilize nutrients, defend against pathogens, provide faster plant yields, and significantly decrease plant shrink. When properly delivered to the plants root zone, DO water is critical to growing a healthier plant because it increases root mass while providing a strong aerobic environment for the root system. Although there are a few methods being used to increase DO levels in water, ozone is by far the most effective method for providing the highest levels of DO.
It is important to measure DO levels of the source water used for irrigation. It’s equally important to understand the results of the measurement and the impact it has on the plants. For example, pond water can have a very low level of DO, which negatively impacts plant health. But without testing this issue will never be diagnosed, let alone fixed.
DO levels at 5ppm are just barely adequate for plant health. Most greenhouse crops will perform well with levels of 8ppm or higher. If DO levels drop to 4ppm or lower, the water is considered hypoxic and can be very detrimental or even fatal to the plant. If DO levels are below 0.5ppm, no plant will survive. The Watson Well ozone treatment system can produce water with more than 40ppm of DO, which in some instances is more than a 300% increase. DO at these super-saturated levels is extremely beneficial to plants.
