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plant_nutrition → essential → oxygen

Oxygen (O)

Role in plants

Oxygen is required for respiration (energy production) in all living tissues, especially roots. It is also part of most plant organic compounds.

Deficiency symptoms

Oxygen deficiency is most commonly a root-zone aeration problem: - Wilting despite wet media - Poor root growth, brown/black roots - Reduced nutrient uptake and stunting - Increased susceptibility to root pathogens

Toxicity symptoms

Not a classic nutrient toxicity. Reactive oxygen species are a stress response rather than a fertiliser issue.

Natural sources

  • Air in soil pore spaces
  • Dissolved oxygen in water (limited)

“Fertiliser” sources (managed inputs)

  • Drainage, structure, aeration, irrigation strategy
  • Avoiding waterlogging and compaction

Plant interaction form

  • O₂ availability in the root zone