There is a powerful enzyme, catalase, present in most cells, bacterial,
plant and animal, that converts hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen real
quick. The peroxide lasts long enough to put the kabash on many bacteria for a
short time, hence its effectiveness in treating crown rot, but if you
incorporate it into media it will quickly disappear. Kathy did confuse me about
whether or not she believes there is oxygen in air. If roots need to respire,
they need certainly need oxygen. Nitrogen is quite inert, reacting only with
nitrifying bacteria such as in legume nodules. I was also surprised to learn
that Paraquat acts by producing peroxide. It is a powerful inhibitor of
cellular respiration; I am unfamiliar with any involvement of peroxide.
Bert Pressman
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