To understand how micro-nano oxygenated irrigation (MNOI) affects cucumber growth in arid and semi-arid cold areas, a two-year study was conducted on greenhouse-grown cucumbers in Ningxia. They tested three levels of dissolved oxygen in the irrigation water (6, 7.5, and 9 mg/L) and compared it with non-oxygenated irrigation (4 mg/L).
The study found that increasing the dissolved oxygen levels from 4 to 9 mg/L improved cucumber yield and quality. In the spring-summer and autumn-winter seasons, various indicators such as leaf area, photosynthetic rate, Vitamin C, soluble protein, and others increased significantly with higher oxygen levels. Nitrate content decreased, and factors like dry matter accumulation, soil respiration rate, microbial carbon, and microbial nitrogen increased. Overall, yield, irrigation water use efficiency, and soil oxygen content also increased. A model was established to predict dissolved oxygen and soil oxygen levels, showing that 9 mg/L of dissolved oxygen in irrigation water was optimal. MNOI improved soil conditions, nutrient uptake, and cucumber growth, providing a practical approach to enhance crop quality and efficiency in dry and cold regions.
Ouyang, Z., Tian, J., Yan, X. et al. Micro-nano oxygenated irrigation improves the yield and quality of greenhouse cucumbers under-film drip irrigation. Sci Rep 13, 19453 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45121-3