Oxygen Enrichment in Deep Hydroponic Culture Improves Growth of Spinach

Abstract

Spinach plants (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Paruku) were grown in deep hydroponic culture while concentrations of oxygen dissolved in the culture medium were varied by either elevating the temperature of the medium or increasing the partial pressure of oxygen. An increase of the solution temperature caused a decrease of oxygen concentration in the medium solution, and reduced respiration rates in roots. Subsequently, photosynthesis was decreased, resulting in reduction of growth. Such growth inhibition was avoided by increasing oxygen concentration in the solution, using an oxygen enricher.