SUPPLEMENTAL CO2
In the first part of the equation, there
is CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O
(water). When plants have access
to these compounds in addition to
light energy, they can produce the
second part of the equation: C6H12O6
(glucose) and O2 (oxygen).
It may look and sound complicated,
but don’t be alarmed; you do not need
a degree in chemistry to be a successful grower. Still, it is important to note
that photosynthesis is a chemical reaction. Like other chemical reactions,
photosynthesis can be affected by
factors like temperature and the proper
chemical compounds.
One of these crucial chemical
compounds is CO2. Plants absorb
carbon dioxide through the open
stomata on their leaves. Transpiration,
which helps keep plants at an even
temperature, occurs when the stomata
are open. However, transpiration
results in the loss of water (another
significant chemical compound for
photosynthesis); so, to conserve water,
plants regulate the amount of time the
stomata are open.
When a grower enriches the environment with CO2, the amount of CO2
available for absorption increases
for the length of time the stomata are
open. In other words, the plant can
absorb more CO2 while still limiting water loss through transpiration.
Some experiments have also shown
that when provided with an increased
amount of CO2, plants will not open
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the stomata as wide, thus reducing
the amount of transpiration. All in all,
increased CO2 levels will increase
the efficiency of a plant’s water use.
Assuming the plant has access to
the necessary nutrients and light
energy, the additional CO2 absorbed,
combined with the increased efficiency of water use, will increase the
plant’s rate of growth.
METHODS USED FOR
CO2 ENRICHMENT
There are a few different ways
to increase the level of CO2 in
the garden. For large spaces, the
preferred method is generally a
burner. CO2 burners are fueled by
propane or natural gas. As the fuel is
burned, CO2 is created as a by-product
of the combustion. There are many
different burners available and the
size required generally depends on
how large of an area a gardener is
trying to enrich. Unfortunately, these
devices also create heat in addition
to CO2. This is usually viewed as a
disadvantage of CO2 burners because
most growers work hard to remove
unwanted heat that is created by
the intense lighting systems. Still, in
commercial gardens or in very large
growing facilities, burners are the
most effective way to produce the
large amount of CO2 necessary to
enrich the environment.
"
in commercial gardens
OR IN VERY LARGE GROWING
FACILITIES, BURNERS ARE THE
MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO
PRODUCE THE LARGE AMOUNT OF
CO2 NECESSARY TO ENRICH
THE ENVIRONMENT.�