Root Zone Aeration Research Articles

Root-zone aeration improves fruit yield and quality of tomato by enhancement of leaf photosynthetic performance

Heavy irrigation and soil compaction cause hypoxic stress in plant roots, which limits crop growth. This issue can be solved by root-zone aeration, but the photophysiological responses of crop plants to the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in irrigation water remain unclear. Here, a greenhouse plot experiment was conducted to investigate the changes in leaf photosynthesis and plant growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Omanda 3′) under aerated irrigation with various DO concentrations. Plants were treated with three different levels of aeration: 5 mg L–1 DO (conventional subsurface irrigation as a non-aeration control), 15 mg L–1 DO (low aeration treatment), and 30 mg L–1 DO (high aeration treatment). Compared with the control, the aeration treatments promoted electron transport from the primary to secondary plastoquinone acceptors (QA to QB) of photosystem II (PSII) and increased leaf net photosynthetic rate in plants at the seedling, fruit expansion, and maturation stages. The opposite effects of aeration treatments were observed at the flowering and fruit-setting stage. The enhancement of leaf photosynthetic performance contributed to improved plant growth, fruit yield, and quality of tomato as a result of increased oxygen supply in the root zone. The aeration treatments additionally facilitated the biosynthesis and transport of photosynthetic carbon assimilates in plant tissues, as evidenced by increased starch and sucrose contents in the leaves and sucrose content in the roots. However, under the high aeration level, excessive transport of sucrose from leaves to roots hindered further improvements in tomato yield and biomass at the maturation stage. Based on plant photophysiological and yield performance, aerated irrigation with a low concentration of DO (15 mg L–1) is recommended for greenhouse tomato crops during the seedling, fruit expansion, and maturation stages, and there is no need of root-zone aeration at the flowering and fruit-setting stage.

Subsurface aeration alters the fungal composition of rhizosphere soil and tomato plant performance in Northwest China

Rhizosphere hypoxia constrains plant growth, and numerous studies have shown that root zone aeration accelerates plant photosynthesis and growth and increases crop yields. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which soil microorganisms are involved in this process is not clear. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of aeration and irrigation depth on the composition and structure of rhizosphere soil fungal communities and tomato plant performance. The amount of aeration assayed was equal to 0 (CK), 0.5 (V1), 1 (V2), and 1.5 (V3) times the porosity of the soil. The two depths of subsurface drip irrigation used were 15 (D15) and 40 cm (D40). The results demonstrated that soil aeration not only increased tomato plant performance but also influenced fungal diversity and composition. Compared to the no-aeration treatment, the V3 soil aeration treatment increased the total dry weight and fruit yield by 39.9% and 65.6%, respectively. The results also showed that the abundance of the phylum Ascomycota and the family Lasiosphaeriaceae increased with increasing soil aeration, whereas those of members of the phylum Zygomycota and the order Capnodiales decreased with increasing soil aeration. Moreover, the variation in subsurface irrigation depth altered the rhizosphere soil fungal community. In general, the results of this study demonstrate that root zone aeration can ameliorate hypoxic conditions in Lou soils and is beneficial to soil fungal communities and tomato plant performance. Keywords: tomato, soil aeration, rhizosphere soil fungal community, plant performance DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20231601.6368 Citation: Li Y, Zhang M Z, Cao X S, Wang J W, Zhang Z X, Niu Q W. Subsurface aeration alters the fungal composition of rhizosphere soil and tomato plant performance in Northwest China. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2023; 16(1): 172–183.

Effects of Root Zone Aeration on Soil Microbes Species in a Peach Tree Rhizosphere and Root Growth.

The oxygen content in the root zone considerably affects the growth and development of peach trees. However, few studies have been conducted on the effects of the oxygen content in the root zones of peach trees on soil microbes and root growth. Four-year-old Ruiguang 33/Prunus persica (L.) Batsch trees were used to study the effects of root-zone aeration on soil microbes in a peach orchard, as well as on the soil nutrient contents, peach tree root systems, and plant potassium-to-nitrogen ratios. The results showed that the root-zone aeration substantially increased the soil oxygen content in the root zone and changed the soil microbial community structure. Compared with the control, the relative abundances of soil nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (Beta proteobacteria and Bradyrhizobium elkanii) and potassium-solubilizing microorganisms (Bacillus circulans) under the root-zone aeration conditions were greatly enhanced. Root-zone aeration increased the soil’s alkaline nitrogen content, available potassium content, and organic matter content, as well as the number and thickness of new white roots of peach trees, and root activity was increased significantly. At the same time, root-zone aeration changed the relative contents of total potassium and total nitrogen in the plants and considerably increased the potassium–nitrogen ratio in the shoots. The results indicate that aeration in the root zone can change the soil microbial community structure, increase the abundances of nitrogen-fixing and potassium-solubilizing microorganisms, and increase the plant potassium-to-nitrogen ratio, which are conducive to peach fruit quality.

Agarose hydrogel composite supports microgreen cultivation with enhanced porosity and continuous water supply under terrestrial and microgravitational conditions

Hydrogels are attractive soilless media for plant cultivation with strong water and nutrient retention. However, pristine hydrogels contain mostly ultra-micro pores and lack air-filled porosity for root zone aeration. Herein we report a porous hydrogel composite comprising an agarose network and porous growing mix particle (GMP) fillers. The agarose backbone allowed the composite to sustain a 12-d growth cycle for red cabbage microgreens without the need for watering or crew interaction. Moreover, the GMP induced greater total pore volume and increased the prevalence of pores >30 μm by 8-fold. Further investigation suggested that the nutrients from GMP accounted for a 54 % increase in microgreen yield over pristine hydrogel, while the porous structure introduced by GMP improved the yield by another 44 %. Increased air-filled porosity accelerated the water transport and loss of hydrogel but maintained favorable water potential levels for plant extraction. Finally, the hydrogel composite supported microgreen growth satisfyingly under simulated microgravity despite some morphological changes. Results of this study reveal a novel growth substrate that is lightweight, convenient, and water-efficient, while effectively sustaining plant growth for multiple applications including indoor farming and space farming.

On the use of orchards to support soil aquifer treatment systems

Soil aquifer treatment (SAT) is a practice used to enhance groundwater storage through intermittent percolation of treated wastewater effluent in designated infiltration basins. Due to proximity to urban regions, land availability for SAT infiltration basins is a limiting factor. Furthermore, with the growing population, SAT systems are faced with an increase in effluent volumes meant for recharge. The present study experimentally explores, for the first time, the feasibility of the short-term flooding of a citrus orchard with secondary effluent, as an alternative for an additional dedicated infiltration area for SAT, namely agricultural soil aquifer treatment (Ag-SAT). Orange trees were planted in two different agricultural setups, on flat soil and atop a ridge. Sporadic intermittent winter flooding experiments, lasting 24 and 48 h, were conducted. Volumetric water content (VWC) and oxidation-reduction conditions were continuously monitored. Concurrently, water samples were collected and analyzed for total organic carbon and nitrogen species, along with leaf health measurements. Results were compared to an adjacent control plot, where no flooding with effluent was applied. Contaminant removal rates under the ridge setup resembled active SAT basins. Moreover, chemical analysis of the water samples and VWC readings demonstrated that higher water quality and faster root zone aeration (following flooding) were obtained under the ridge, which appears to be the better Ag-SAT setup. According to a principal component analysis (PCA), the dissolved oxygen explains 75% of the variability of effluent chemistry under the ridge, illustrating that oxic conditions prevailed in this setup. This study demonstrates that while many other concerns still need to be addressed, using agricultural plots as recharge basins for SAT during the winter appears to be a promising way to supplement recharge basins while having no impact on tree health.

Adaptive Management Lessons for Serianthes nelsonii Conservation

The literature covering the biology, ecology, horticulture, and conservation of the critically endangered tree Serianthes nelsonii Merr. was reviewed. The roots, stems, and leaves of this charismatic legume tree revealed highly plastic traits and responded positively to horticultural manipulations to improve the quality of container-grown transplants. Pre-sowing seed treatments of seed coat scarification and 1 h of imbibition generated 85% to 90% germination at a temperature optimum of 26 °C. Adventitious root formation on air layers and successful unions on approach grafts were 100%. Seedling and sapling growth was maximum under 25% to 50% sunlight transmission, limited irrigation to ensure adequate root zone aeration, repetitive stem tip pruning to increase root:shoot quotient, and thigmic stress to retain an orthotropic orientation of stems. In situ regeneration on Guam was substantial but recruitment from seedling to sapling was nil. High quality leaf litter chemistry enabled rapid decomposition, and soils beneath the tree exhibited unique chemical traits that increased ecosystem health by creating spatial heterogeneity. The greatest unanswered questions focus on plant mortality. Research is needed to determine the reasons for the mortality of in situ seedlings, mortality within transplantation projects on Guam, and the mortality of 60% of the mature in situ tree population during the 26-year implementation of the national recovery plan. Horticultural researchers are ideally positioned to answer these urgent questions.

Gas diffusion characteristics of agricultural soils from South Greenland

AbstractThe Arctic is warming at twice the global average, which may impact agricultural production in Greenland. Therefore knowledge of the functional properties of Greenlandic soil resources is necessary. The relative soil gas diffusivity [the soil gas diffusion coefficient (Dp)–free‐air diffusion coefficient (Do) ratio] is the chief parameter controlling gas transport in soils. Predictions of Dp/Do are needed to estimate root zone aeration and terrestrial greenhouse gas fluxes. We used existing models to analyze the Dp/Do of soils from Greenlandic fields and a pore connectivity index (Cip) to infer their degree of structural development and identify the main parameters controlling Dp/Do. In total, 201 × 3 intact 100‐cm3 soil samples were sampled across six fields with clay and organic C contents of 0.016 to 0.089 and 0.016 to 0.105 kg kg−1, respectively. The Dp/Do was measured with the one‐chamber nonsteady‐state method at soil water potentials between –10 and –1,000 cm H2O. Accurate determination of total porosity (Φ) was ensured by calibrating a particle density model on 129 samples. The soils exhibited a less developed structure and highly tortuous pore networks, resulting in low Dp/Do as a function of air‐filled porosity (ε). Density‐corrected models with air saturation (ε/Φ) reduced the RMSE. Furthermore, Cip at –1,000 cm H2O soil water potential increased linearly with dry bulk density (ρb), suggesting that ρb is a key controller of Dp/Do, which is important for planning cultivation practices for Southern Greenlandic soils. Lastly, we found that an air saturation >35% is required for adequate soil aeration.

Tolerance of citrus rootstocks to poor water quality is improved by root zone aeration via selective uptake of ions, higher photosynthesis and carbon storage

The effects of root zone aeration and irrigation water quality (WQ) were studied in two rootstocks with contrasting tolerances to abiotic stress. We hypothesized that the main influence of TWW is that of its salinity (especially Na and K and their ratios), that the organic load and its BOD have a marginal influence and that aeration facilitates selectivity of roots and/or leaves and therefore improves plant performance. The factorial experiment included root zone aeration, fresh water (FW), TWW, and fresh water with a salt concentration similar to TWW (FW + NaCl). One year old unworked rootstocks of sensitive Citrus volkameriana (Volka) and tolerant X639 (Cleopatra mandarin X Poncirus trifoliata) were treated for 4 months, followed by 2 months of recovery. Measurements included ionic and water relations, photosynthetic parameters, growth, morphology, tissue specific membrane properties, and sugar and starch contents. Volka was highly sensitive to WQ and aeration while X639 was influenced much less. During the first two months aeration increased Volka leaf photosynthesis and gas exchange by 15%, water and potassium (K) uptake by 20%, carbon storage by 15% and biomass by 20%; which compensated for the negative effects of poor WQ. Changes in distribution of K and Na ions hint at the mechanisms for the aeration influence on tolerance to poor WQ. Results indicate that aeration enhanced K transport from the roots to leaves and reduced Na concentrations in the roots of the sensitive rootstock. These, as well as changes in the wide range of leaf and root parameters measured, are discussed with relation to their implications for our understanding of plant response and tolerance to low WQ in poorly drained soils.

Soil properties after conversion to conservation agriculture from ridge tillage in Southern Malawi

A study was carried out to assess some of the likely early impacts on soil properties in small-scale farmers' fields following conversion to conservation agriculture (CA) from annual ridge tillage (RT). Five fields under CA applied for 2 years (CA2 yr) and 5 years (CA5 yr), respectively, were paired with adjacent RT fields with similar soil type and maize genotypes. Soils samples from the 20 fields were taken at depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm and evaluated for physical and chemical characteristics. The results of analysis of variance and mean comparison showed that soil bulk density and total porosity (PORt) largely remained the same between CA and RT fields. Soil structural stability (SI) was marginally greater under CA practices while RT appeared to sustain better soil aggregation and root-zone aeration characteristics (air capacity, AC). CA5yr fields showed greater values for soil organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen, available phosphorous, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Volumetric water content at field capacity (θfc) and relative water capacity (RWC) were consistently greater under CA applied for the different number of years. The most influential soil attributes with loadings within ten per cent of those with the highest loadings based on multivariate principal component analysis were θfc,θpwp, θs, upper critical bulk density (ρbU), OC, OC-stock, SI, RWC, AC, θfc/PORt, CEC, and K. Thus, soil attributes found as the most important to discriminate either management system were related to volumetric water content, soil organic carbon fraction, air–water storage, and chemical qualities. These were considered suitable for future assessment of soil quality for monitoring land use change effects in similar agroecosystems. The study posits study of socio-ecology of mulch cover practices to attribute management effects on soil properties.

Effect of Root Zone Aeration on the Growth of Film-Mulched Tomato in Greenhouse

Due to film-mulched cultivation and poor irrigation practices, low oxygen stress could be often caused in root zone in greenhouse, and has negative effects on crops growth. In this study, a barrel experiment was conducted to probe the effects of root zone aeration on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumMill) leaves, root systems and biomass accumulation, using calcium peroxide (CaO2) as oxygen release agent. The results show that i) root zone aeration has little effect on the number of leaves and leave chlorophyll content, while reduces leaf areas of per leave and per plant, ii) root zone aeration could promote the growth and development of roots through increasing the volume, absorption area, specific surface area and total length of tomato roots and iii) root zone aeration raises the biomass of tomato plants, which mainly manifests in the increase of stems and leaves, especially in leaves.

Effect of root zone aeration on the growth and bioactivity of cucumber plants cultured in perlite substrate

AbstractThis study was aimed at investigating the growth and nutrient uptake of cucumber plants affected by forced aeration of supplying oxygen and stimulating gas exchange rate in root zone in a substrate. Five aeration levels during the growth (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 L/min) were applied. Maximum leaf area and leaf fresh and dry weights were obtained at an aeration level of 0.5 L/min. Excessive aeration in root zone inhibited leaf area expansion, relative leaf growth rate and crop growth rate. An optimum leaf area index of 3.0 to 3.5 was estimated in range of 0 and 0.5 L/min. The highest fruit yield was measured of 1.13 kg/plant at 0.5 L/min, whereas at 2.0 L/min it was 0.62 kg/plant. Potassium concentration in petiole sap was lower at 63 days after transplanting than that at 32 days after transplanting. Ethylene concentrations increased with higher aeration values, however, CO2 concentration reduced with increased aeration. All bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols, tannins and ascorbic acid) and the levels of antioxidant activities by ferric-reducing/antioxidant power and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity in ethanol extracts of cucumbers differed significantly in the investigated samples and were the highest at aeration level of 0.5 L/min in comparison with other samples (P <0.05). In conclusion, antioxidant status (bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities) improved with the appropriate aeration, which is effective for higher fruit yield and bioactivity. Excessive aeration inhibited root respiration, nutrients, bioactivity, and water uptake, and it resulted in the reduction of plant growth and fruit yield.

Comparative Evaluation of Common Savannah Grass on a Range of Soils Subjected to Different Stresses II: Root Zone Physical Condition

The root zone physical condition influences root development and function, which affects turfgrass growth, quality and performance. The temporal variability of root zone properties was investigated in a factorial experiment combining sand layering compaction and moisture stress on the performance of Savannahgrass (SG) (Axonopus compressus), Bermudagrass (BG) (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) (cv. Tifway 419) and Zoysiagrass (ZG) (Zoysia spp.) grown in four contrasting soils. Four stresses—drought (D), waterlogging (WL), high compaction (HC) and low compaction (LC)—were applied either with or without a surface sand layer. Root zone properties, including root weight (RW), bulk density (BD), surface hardness (SH), redox potential (Eh) and non-capillary pore space (NCPS), were monitored over a four-month growth period. Surface hardness values were greater for the high compaction effort in treatments without sand, but were highest under drought. Sand addition resulted in lower SH for all grass × soil combinations. The soil texture influenced root zone BD for all turfgrasses, with the clay soils recording significantly lower bulk densities (<1.00 g/cm3) than those with coarser fractions. Compaction had a minimal influence on BD, the effect being further modified by grass type. Low BD was associated with high RW. RW was also significantly higher in the sand-amended treatments. Waterlogging reduced Eh for all soils, with higher values recorded in the sand treatments. The redox potential was lowest in River Estate soil and in pots planted with ZG. Across turfgrasses, Princes Town and Talparo soils had significantly lower NCPS for the sand treatment. NCPS was highest for ZG across stress treatments, but values were similar to SG under compaction treatments. Sand layering improved the root zone aeration status, particularly with SG, resulting in a better physical condition.

Integration of drainage, water quality and flood management in rural, urban and lowland areas

Managing drainage in rural and peri-urban environments has become an essential part of integrated water management. Drainage has become a science of control, storage and (re)use while meeting triple bottom-line requirements (environment, social and economic assessments). Controlled drainage in rural settings aims at maintaining a groundwater table regime that will provide adequate rootzone aeration and soil salinity control but will not remove or use more water than necessary. In urban and peri-urban environments, the philosophy of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) aims at an integrated approach to urban water management through emphasising sensitivity to water in urban design. Urban landscape and architectural building elements now combine the areas of controlling flood flows, detention and treatment of stormwater and the reuse of stormwater as their principal functionalities. Constructed wetlands treat stormwater for recharge of aquifers and subsequent recovery for non-potable reuse. The increase in population, the urbanisation of rural and lowland (coastal-) areas, and the emergence of mega-cities together call for state-of-the-art drainage design as part of integrated water resources management at a river basin scale. This article describes the latest technological advances in drainage, flood management and water quality control

Development of a constructed subsurface-flow wetland simulation model

This paper presents a mechanistic, compartmental simulation model of subsurface-flow constructed wetlands. The model consists of six submodels, including the nitrogen and carbon cycles, both autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria growth and metabolism, and water and oxygen balances. Data from an existing constructed wetland in Maryland were used to calibrate the model. Model results reproduced seasonal trends well. Interactions between the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles were evident in model output. In general, effluent biochemical oxygen demand, organic nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate concentrations were predicted well. Because little is known about rootzone aeration by wetland plants, oxygen predictions were fair. The model is generally insensitive to changes in individual parameters. This is due to the complexity of the ecosystem and the model, as well as the numerous feedback mechanisms. The model is most sensitive to changes in parameters that affect microbial growth and substrate use directly. This dynamic, compartmental, simulation model is an effective tool for evaluating the performance of subsurface-flow constructed wetlands. The model provided insights into treatment problems at an existing constructed wetland. With further evaluation and refinement, the model will be a useful design tool for subsurface-flow constructed wetlands.

137 Nitrate Assimilation and Carbon-14 Partitioning between Shoots and Roots of Tall Fescue

Efficient use of nitrogen by turfgrasses depends on the ability of roots to absorb and assimilate nitrate. If a larger amount of nitrate is assimilated in the roots than in the shoots and organic N is transported to shoots as needed, nitrogen loss through clipping removal would be reduced. However, the ability of roots to assimilate nitrate depends on carbohydrate supply from the shoots. Our study examined the relationship between nitrate assimilation and photosynthate partitioning between shoots and roots of tall fescue grown in nutrient solution. To alter the pattern of nitrate reduction and photosynthate partitioning, we treated the plants as follows: 1) nutrient solution was aerated and nitrate was supplied to the roots, 2) nutrient solution was not aerated and nitrate was supplied to the roots, 3) nutrient solution was aerated and nitrogen was supplied to the leaves as nitrate, and 4) nutrient solution was aerated, and nitrogen was supplied to the leaves as urea. Photosynthate partitioning was assessed using carbon-14 as a tracer. Nitrate and nitrite reductase activities were determined by in vivo methods. Fortyeight hours after the grass leaves were exposed to carbon-14, >60% of the fixed carbon was translocated to stems and >15% to roots. Foliar application of urea resulted in less export of fixed carbon from leaves and lower leaf nitrite reductase activity than when nitrate was supplied to leaves. Less than 5% of the plant total nitrate reduction was attributed to root based activity. Root aeration decreased root nitrate reductase activity. Our results suggest that root-zone aeration and foliar N application could affect total nitrate assimilation and photosynthate partitioning to roots.

A Ground-based Comparison of Nutrient Delivery Technologies Originally Developed for Growing Plants in the Spaceflight Environment

A ground-based comparison of plant nutrient delivery systems that have been developed for microgravity application was conducted for dwarf wheat (Triticum aestivum L. 'Yecora Rojo') and rapid-cycling brassica (Brassica rapa L. CrGC#1-33) plants. These experiments offer insight into nutrient and oxygen delivery concerns for greenhouse crop production systems. The experiments were completed over a 12-day period to simulate a typical space shuttle-based spaceflight experiment. The plant materials, grown either using the porous-tube nutrient delivery system, the phenolic foam support system, or a solidified agar nutrient medium, were compared by plant-growth analysis, root zone morphological measurements, elemental composition analysis, and alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme activity assay. The results of these analyses indicate that the porous tube plant nutrient delivery and the phenolic foam systems maintain plant growth at a higher level than the solidified agar gel medium system. Root zone oxygenation problems associated with the agar system were manifested through biochemical and morphological responses. The porous tube nutrient delivery system outperformed the other two systems on the basis of plant growth analysis parameters and physiological indicators of root zone aeration. This information is applicable to the current crop production techniques used in greenhouse-controlled environments.

Photosynthesis and root growth in Spartina alterniflora in relation to root zone aeration

Spartina alterniflora Lois. is a dominant species growing in intermediate and saline marshes of the US Gulf coast and Atlantic coastal marshes. S. alterniflora plants were subjected to a range of soil redox potential (Eh) conditions representing a well aerated to reduced conditions in a rhizotron system under controlled environmental conditions. The low soil Eh resulted in inhibition of root elongation shortly after treatment initiation. Root elongation was reduced as soil Eh approached values below ca. +350 mV. Substantial decrease in root elongation was noted when soil Eh fell below +200 mV. Generally, net photosynthetic rate (PN) decreased as soil Eh was reduced, with substantial reductions in PN found when Eh approached negative values. Average PN was reduced to 87, 64, and 44% of control under +340, +245, and -180 mV treatments, respectively. The reductions in root elongation and PN in response to low soil Eh indicated the adverse effects of low soil Eh on plant functioning and the need for periods of soil aeration that allow plants to resume normal functioning. Thus periods of drainage allowing soil aeration during the growing season appear to be critical to S. alterniflora by providing favorable conditions for root growth and gas exchange with important implications for plant carbon fixation.

Plants for constructed wetland treatment systems — A comparison of the growth and nutrient uptake of eight emergent species

Allocation of above and below-ground growth and nutrient uptake, and pollutant removal were compared for Schoenoplectus validus, Phragmites australis, Glyceria maxima, Baumea articulata, Bolboschoenus fluviatilis, Cyperus involucratus, Juncus effusus and Zizania latifolia. Plants were grown in triplicate 0.238 m 2 × 0.6 m deep gravel-bed wetland mosocosms fed with dairy farm wastewaters pre-treated in an anaerobic lagoon. After 124 days, mean species total biomass ranged from 0.3 to 7.4 kg m −2, with above-below-ground ratios between 0.35 and 3.35. Growth of Baumea and Juncus was relatively poor. Zizania and Glyceria showed the highest above-ground biomass values, ranging between 3 and 4 kg m −2. Above-ground tissue concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) ranged from 15 to 32 and 1.3 to 3.4 mg g −1, respectively. Maximum plant accumulations of 135 g N m −2 and 18.5 g P m −2 accounted for around 30% of the levels supplied in wastewaters. Mean removals of 76–88% of suspended solids, 77–91% of biochemical oxygen demand, and 79–93% of total P were recorded for the established mesocosms irrespective of plant species. Mean removal of total N ranged from 65 to 92%, showing a significant positive linear correlation with plant biomass. Comparisons are made with information from other studies on establishment rate, productivity, nutrient uptake, potential for root-zone aeration and general life history traits in constructed wetlands.

305 PRESSURE OF SAP EXUDATE OF TOMATO PLANTS IN VARIED ROOT ENVIRONMENTS

Sap pressure of cut tomato stems was monitored using a real time data acquisition system to assess changes in the root zone environment. Hydroponically-grown tomato plants were cut and a gas-free connection made to a temperature-compensated pressure transducer. When plants were bathed in nutrient solution under isothermal conditions, pressure increased to a maximum within 10 to 75 min; maxima varied in the range of 20 kPa to 150 kPa. A fatigue phenomenon occurred with all plants, exhibited by decreases in pressure maxima over time. When root zone aeration was stopped or a nitrogen atmosphere was used, pressure dropped following a lag of about 30 min. This decrease in pressure was partially reversible when aeration was resupplied. Near instantaneous changes in sap pressure occurred when the root zone was manipulated by imposing a temperature gradient or by increasing the osmolarity of the solution. The technique reported may be useful for continuous monitoring of changes in the root zone environment and in assessing plant health.

Drainage performance and soil management

The performance of installed subsurface drainage systems is considerably influenced by soil management practices. These influences can be both positively and negatively. Cases of such influences are discussed in this paper. Optimal rootzone aeration and soil workability will often require a combination of drainage and soil management improvements.