Papaya Plant Growth as Affected by Soil Air Oxygen Deficiency

Lack or insufficient soil air O2 may lead to reduce plant growth, photosynthesis and plant production materials. Excess or stagnant water replace soil air O2 and create soil air O2 deficiency at the plant root zone. To remain healthy, the papaya plant needs regular rainfall or irrigation with good drainage while flooding for 48 hours is fatal. A balance between soil water and soil air O2 is important for root growth of papaya. In this study, a new method of soil air O2 measurement, soil air O2 deficiency creation technique and effect of soil O2 deficiency on the papaya plant growth were evaluated. Five wooden boxes filled with air dry soil (385 kg/box)were connected with PVS pipes. Six galvanized batteries (KE-25F4)were calibrated and set at the entrance of the first box and at the end of the five boxes. Entry of air was stopped from the surface. Air supply was allowed through the first box, released through the end of the fifth box and a pump sucked internal air. Galvanized batteries measured mili volt, converted to O2 percentage, showed that soil air O2 was within the normal air oxygen (21