Effects of rhizosphere aeration on matrix gas, matrix nutrition and xylem sap in cucumber

In order to improve gas environment in rhizosphere, the effects of different patterns of rhizosphere aeration on matrix gas, matrix nutrition and xylem sap in cucumber by matrix-gas-cultivation were investigated. The results showed that concentrations of CO2 and O2 in rhizosphere both upper and lower aeration treatments were significantly improved, compared with CK, CO2 concentrations decreased by 33.31%-98.02%, and O2 concentrations increased by 2.13%-12.22%. Both upper and lower aeration treatments heightened significantly available nutrition contents, compared with CK, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen increased by 12.95%-28.87%, available phosphorus increased by 12.02%-20.46%. Electrical conductivity, pH value and amino acids of xylem sap in upper aeration treatment were the highest, which showed a strong root metabolism, so upper aeration pattern was better.