2007 Annual Report - Central Queensland University

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportFig.1 Effect of oxygation on cotton yieldFig. 2 Effect of oxygation on root lengthLeaf transpiration and photosynthesis were measured and data are tabulated in Table 1. Withoxygation rates of transpiration and photosynthesis were greater than without on the red loamsoil, as was phototsynthesis on the black soil.Table 1: Transpiration and photosynthesis of cotton plantsTranspirationmmol m 2 s -1Photosynthesisµ mol m 2 s -1Soil Type Oxygated Control Oxygated ControlBlack 3.88 4.00 18.11 16.06Red 4.14 4.07 14.71 14.66The crop did not receive the oxygation treatment until 35 days after transplanting and theseason being relatively wetter than normal did not receive frequent irrigation, hence theopportunity for oxygation was less than in other years for this crop. However, from theanalysis, the following preliminary conclusions can be drawn: first, the effect of oxygation isclear on cotton grown on red soil but for black soil, the effect was not consistent. Second, blacksoil tended to have cracks on the surface, which might reduce the oxygation benefits. Furtherresearch should be conducted to study the effect of cracking in the further cotton experiments.PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Jay DhungelCo-Principal Investigator: Prof. David MidmoreOthers:Dr Surya BhattaraiFUNDINGQNRW29