Droughts and an increasing demand for water means that every drop is valuable. Therefore as more water is recycled, ozone addresses concerns with disease, chemical contamination, water discharge, and nutrients leaching in to ground water
AN ECO-TECH SOLUTION - growers are relying on ozone treatment to disinfect water whether it is recycled or fresh. Stringent policies on discharged water have lead growers to seek out modern treatment alternatives as more plant pathogens develop resistance to many traditional fungicides. Growers are also seeing undesirable side effects on their plants from the application of chemicals
PATHOGENS - ozone is a powerful oxidiser which destroys fungi, pathogenic bacteria and viruses which cause waterborne diseases. It is a much stronger disinfectant than chlorine and other chemical based alternatives.
NO DBP's - unlike chlorine, ozone is non-toxic and produces no disinfection byproducts (DBP's). Once dissolved in water, ozone destroys pathogens and then safely reverts back in to oxygen. Concerns over DBP's have generated strong interest in ozone as a replacement solution for traditional methods.
CONTROL METHODS - farmers have had to use biocides and other disinfecting agents such as chlorine, peroxides, and UV light to keep pathogens under control. Chlorination is an effective method of combating pathogens, but as above, its residual effects can harm plant life. UV light systems have no effect on bacteria down stream from the point of application unlike ozone which studies have shown provides a residual effect in irrigation water and hydroponics
ROOT DAMAGE - ozone reverts back to oxygen creating increased root zone oxygen content in water for improved plant growth. Tests have shown that ozone dissolved in water does not damage plant root systems or foliage even in concentrations as high as 1.5 ppm
FOLIAGE DAMAGE - since gaseous ozone can damage plant leaves, NOVOZONE has assisted kiwifruit growers to apply ozonated water through overhead sprayers. This is a highly effective means of preventing pseudomonas bacteria (PSA) from infecting the vines
NUTRIENTS - ozone is safe for plant nutrients. Tests show that ozone does not affect phosphorous or potassium levels. Ozones powerful oxidising action can cause iron to precipitate out of solution when ozone is present in very high levels.
OZONE & PLANT HEALTH - ozone dissolves 12 times more easily in water than oxygen. Aqueous ozone reverts back to oxygen and boosts the level of oxygen in the water. This oxygen enriched water feeds the plants root development which improves plant health and growth. Beneficial aerobic bacteria also thrive in this oxygen rich environment. The increase in oxygen means that many diseased plants are quick to recover with pathogens also less likely to take hold of healthy plants.
Address
51 Randolph Street, Eden Terrace
Auckland, New Zealand 1010
