Do plant roots need oxygen?

Why do plants need oxygen? Question Date: 2004-11-18. Answer 1: I'l bet you are wondering that because you already know that plants can make oxygen. You probably already know that in photosynthesis, plants take CO2 from the air, Water (H2O) from their roots, and energy from the sun and make sugar (C6H12O6). read more

However, plants only perform photosynthesis in the green parts, like leaves and stems, but all plant cells need oxygen to respire. Cells in the leaves get plenty of oxygen from photosynthesis, but cells in the roots often need to get oxygen from the environment to stay alive. read more

Well, obviously one cannot imagine the penetration of air into the soil but Yes! Air can penetrate through the soil to a certain level. read more

Roots do need air (roots absorb oxygen primarily through root hairs) because the plant (mitochondria) needs oxygen for cellular/overall metabolism. Plants also metabolize sugars and require oxygen to do this. read more