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Title: Oxygen amendment on growth and nitrogen-use efficiency of flooded Italian Basil

Author
item LIU, GUODONG - University Of Florida
item LI, YUNCONG - University Of Florida
item MIGLIACCIO, KATI - University Of Florida
item OLCZYK, TERESA - University Of Florida
item Alva, Ashok

Submitted to: International Journal of Vegetable Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2013
Publication Date: 5/2/2013
Citation: Liu, G., Li, Y., Migliaccio, K., Olczyk, T., Alva, A.K. 2013. Oxygen amendment on growth and nitrogen-use efficiency of flooded Italian Basil. International Journal of Vegetable Science. 19:217-227.

Interpretive Summary: Excess water is sometimes unavoidable to parts of vegetable production region in Florida. Flooded soil is deficient in oxygen, therefore limits plant growth and production. If flooding continues, there is a need to use oxygen supplements to mitigate the negative effects of oxygen deficiency. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of slow and fast release oxygen compounds on the growth and nitrogen uptake efficiency of Italian Basil in oxygen deficient (flooded) growing conditions. The results showed that these oxygen amendments increased soil oxidation potential, leaf chlorophyll content, and nitrogen uptake efficiency.

Technical Abstract: Flooding is a frequent and often unavoidable cause of stress, in vegetable production in Florida. Flooding results in hypoxia i.e., oxygen deficiency. This study was conducted with traditional Italian basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), cv. Genovese OG, treated with either a fast- or slow-release solid oxygen compound under flooding in a plastic house in Homestead, FL. Application of fast- and slow-release oxygen compounds to flooded basil seedlings increased leaf chlorophyll content by 53 and 58%, respectively, compared with controls. Oxygen amendment increased redox potential of flooded soil 20-fold. Application of oxygen containing compounds is a potentially effective method to alleviate hypoxic conditions in soil which, in turn, enhances N use efficiency and to improve crop productivity.