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Myrtle Creek, Oregon

I have a friend who works for a gas distributing company, ( oxygen, gas nitrogen etc.)
We were talking about getting oxygen to the roots of new plants in the patch and we came up with an idea of putting 2 or 3 probes into the hill about 12 to 18 inches below the surface of the soil and regulating the oxygen so as to let a little out at certain intervals during the week or the day to see if this enhanced the growth of a plant. As we got into this we were thinking about gas nitrogen and doing the same.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Do you think this could enhance the growth of the plants?
when you think about oxygen in the air you are talking about 21% and if the soil is aerated temporarily you are only getting 21% oxygen to the roots,
So what we are thinking is to put 100% pure oxygen into the soil periodically and maybe doing the same with nitrogen.
Yes normally this may be cost prohibiting but he is willing to supply the gasses, tanks and regulators for free.
Anyone have any thought or input about this idea?

4/28/2003 9:38:45 AM

Norwich, Norfolk, UK.

Hi - I'm no expert on giant pumpkin growing, however I have studied Biology for many years, why add oxygen to the plant? I believe that the most effective addition would be CO2 surely? Nitrogen gas can't be absorbed by plants, only the result of "fixing" nitrogen to produce nitrates and nitrites can have this effect. Interesting idea! CO2 is generally at 0.4% of Air, therefore, only a minimal amount of increased CO2 could have a massive effect on the plants growth. Cheers and good luck for this season!

5/1/2003 8:41:27 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

CO2 gas is used by foliage & in an enclosed environment, a very big plus. Popular with the indoor hydroponic (Marijuana?) growers. Outdoors it would blow away quickly.

Root zone O2 is easily obtained through the use of soil amendments. I was involved with a similar (in concept) project at a major metro NY NFL football field. Heated air was inducted into the rootzone to keep the turf growing into the winter. The technology that currently exists in the HVAC industry was not easily adapted but we sort of got by. Turf roots were damaged by the drying effect that the low humidity forced air had on them. So it is my opionion that any O2 that is introduced should be both temperature & humidity controlled.

But let's face it. The soil must still be tested for %OM & physical properties first, then amended as needed or the forced gasses won't migrate through the rootzone. Once this has been properly done (peat, manure, calcined clay, sand, pea gravel, whatever), there will be little need for more O2. But it might still help so I would personally love to engage in another study of this type.

Nitrogen gas is used by commercial farmers now. Especially Corn. It's called Anhydrous Ammonia. Stictly regulated because illegal drug manufacturers can & do use it to produce methamphetamine. The storage & application equipment needed are costly. So much so that backyard gardeners are better off utilizing the more costly granular nitrogen sources because the volume used cannot support the nitrogen cost difference. Proper nitrogen selection & timing will negate the need for the very quick response to applied N that Corn producers are looking for. Cucurbits don't require N at these rates anyway.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Steve

5/1/2003 9:22:19 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yikes!

5/1/2003 10:41:59 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Thouht Pumpkinbrat had "Gone Nesbitt" ....H-K-J is on his way!!! Grow em Big!!! Chuck

5/1/2003 10:44:26 AM

North Ga

Let's go back to the methamphetamines. Sounds interresting!

5/1/2003 11:38:01 AM

Norwich, Norfolk, UK.

You learn somthing new everyday! very interesting indeed. Luck to all

5/6/2003 7:51:30 AM

Oz

TRY CARBON DIOXIDE THROUGH BLACK SOAKER HOSE ON TOP OF GROUND. AND TRY CARBON,,,BBQ CHIPS,,FISH CARBON..ETC.IN THE SOIL..
OXIDATION WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU UP O LEVELS. THAT ISNT GOOD FOR MOST LIVING THINGS..TOO MANY O ATOMS GRABBING HOLD OF
CARBON(I.E.ROOT)TO HELP....I WOULD PUMP STRAIGHT AIR IN.
AND I WOULD USE A BURIED SOAKER HOSE TO WATER AND "AIR OUT".
MAYBE NEXT YEAR ILL HAVE THE CASH. PEACE!

7/29/2003 6:58:53 PM

Oz

try putting oxygen and nitrogen into water,,i dont know how this is done but it can be,,,and then introduce through a soaker hose.,,,,careful,,,ya can go boom!
do not mix ferts in...

7/29/2003 7:03:52 PM