As the effects of climate change become more apparent, the agricultural sector faces longer periods of drought, higher temperatures, and in some cases restrictions on water availability. This not only affects plants directly, but it also affects water quality and soil structure, becoming an even bigger problem for growers.
When the water temperature increases in the reservoir or in the irrigation tanks, the level of oxygen – necessary for the development of the roots – in the water decreases, affecting plant development, vigor, and therefore crop production. When there’s less oxygen in the irrigation water and in the root zone, this favours the growth of pathogens that normally thrive in anaerobic conditions, such as Pythium and Phytophthora, which cause diseases and affect plant development.
Rising temperatures of the water in irrigation reservoirs also favours the growth of algae, causing plugging of drippers, and promoting the accumulation of organic matter or biofilm in the irrigation lines. Long periods of drought and high temperatures also affect the structure of the soil, especially in soils with a higher percentage of clay, causing compaction and reducing the pore space, which in turn makes it difficult for water to infiltrate the soil and reach the root zone. Hair roots and root tips grow less in compacted soils, affecting water and nutrient uptake furthermore.
Traditional methods to improve irrigation efficiency fall short
Traditionally, different methods have been used to alleviate these problems, such as the aeration of irrigation water to increase oxygen, the use of chemicals for the control of algae and pathogens, the use of humectants or physical means to combat the effects of compaction, none of which is especially efficient, cost-effective or sustainable.
Nanobubble technology has emerged as a multi-pronged solution
It has been proven that Moleaer’s nanobubble technology, injecting billions of nano-sized oxygen bubbles (2500 smaller than a grain of salt) into irrigation water, increases dissolved oxygen levels more efficiently and stably than any other method. Nanobubbles also have unique properties that provide additional benefits.
Most growers know that increased dissolved oxygen levels maximize oxygen utilisation by plants and beneficial microbes in the rhizosphere, promoting healthy root development and improving plants’ resilience to environmental stressors such as drought and heat. Oxygen supersaturation from nanobubble technology also helps reduce algae and suppress pathogens in stored irrigation tanks and reservoirs.
Independent researchers and universities have established that dissolved oxygen produced by Moleaer nanobubble technology is more efficient and stable than any other form of oxygenation, enabling growers to achieve optimal and more stable dissolved oxygen concentrations in their irrigation water, consistent from point of treatment all the way to the last dripper and plant.
Electrochemically charged nanobubbles also provide several additional benefits due to their size and properties.Due to their neutral buoyancy, nanobubbles remain suspended in water for weeks – unlike microbubbles and larger bubbles, altering the properties of water by reducing its surface tension and facilitating improved infiltration into the soil. Nanobubbles have also been proven to reduce soil compaction through increased soil flocculation, the process of pulling together clay particles into aggregates to create more pore space in the soil profile. Their negative charge and hard surface help scour biofilm from irrigation lines, reducing clogging and improving distribution uniformity.
Better water quality, improved infiltration and increased soil pore space supports the development of stronger, healthier root systems, resulting in more vigorous plants with better resilience to stress factors, with consequent increase in the production and quality of fruit. All this helps to optimise water use efficiency and, in many cases, reduce water consumption.
