Why do growers oxygenate their nutrient solution?
While the plants leaves require CO2, the plants root system needs oxygen. If the roots are not getting enough oxygen then the plant will become stunted. The leaves may show signs of over-watering; the root system will be poor and begin to die. Root rot will also become a problem and the nutrient solution will begin to have a rotting smell. Root rot pathogens thrive in anaerobic conditions whereas beneficial organisms thrive in high oxygen conditions. Growers that oxygenate their nutrient solution help provide dissolved oxygen for the roots and the beneficial organisms, while suppressing root rot pathogens. As the water temperature increases, the dissolved oxygen level decreases. It is extremely important that growers oxygenate their nutrient solution, especially in summer.
