Field Evaluation of the Impact of Oxygenated Nanobubble Water on Turfgrass Growth and Soil Health

The need to maintain high turf quality on golf courses often leads to extensive use of inputs that can have negative financial and environmental consequences. The use of oxygenated nanobubble water has been proposed to help reduce inputs by improving turfgrass growth and soil health; however, there is limited research evaluating its applications. A 5-month field study was conducted over 2 years in Johns Creek, GA, USA, to evaluate the impacts of oxygenated nanobubble water on turfgrass growth and quality as well as soil biological health. Field plots under randomized complete block design were assigned two treatments: irrigation with oxygenated nanobubble water vs. untreated water. Shoot and root growth parameters were measured regularly to evaluate turfgrass growth, whereas turfgrass quality was evaluated with digital image analysis and visual rating. Soil health was assessed by measuring microbial abundance, inorganic nitrogen, enzyme assays, and soil respiration. Average root weight showed significant treatment effect in 2022, with nanobubble treatment yielding a higher mean than control, but these results were not consistent in both years. There were no significant treatment effects on other turfgrass or soil health parameters. Overall, the use of oxygenated nanobubble water did not consistently impact turfgrass growth, turfgrass quality, or soil biological health parameters likely because either the oxygen was lost during irrigation or the oxygen did not stay in the soil long enough to have any effect.