Oxygenation and ozonation of irrigation water and a soil microbial inoculant did not influence tomato plant growth and yield and soil microbiota

Abstract

ABSTRACT Compacted soils and high soil moisture conditions restrict soil aeration reducing oxygen availability to roots. Low oxygen, or hypoxia, in soils may harm root function, plant growth, yield, and the soil microbiota in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The objective was to evaluate the effect of oxygenated and ozonated irrigation water and a microbial inoculant, on plant growth, physiology, fruit yield, and soil microbiota in conventional tomato at Tifton, Georgia. Irrigation water treatments were: 1) untreated water, 2) oxygenated water, 3) oxygenated water + ozone, 4) control water + inoculant, and 5) oxygenated water + inoculant. Immediately after oxygenation, or ozonation, water was injected into the drip irrigation system. The inoculant was a microbial consortium of 12 microbial species. Irrigation water treatments did not affect leaf gas exchange, leaf mineral nutrients, plant growth, fruit yield, and incidence of tomato yellow leaf curl and southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii). Soil bacterial and fungal distributions were unaffected by treatments. Oxygenation plus ozonation of irrigation water and the soil microbial inoculant did not affect tomato plant growth, soil-borne diseases, fruit yield, or soil microbiota.