Transpiration in plants

Accurate quantification of the movement of water into plants is possible with a potometer. Assessing the impact of changing humidity and air movement on plant uptake of water provides essential experience for understanding plant adaptations. Some species of plant develop with differing densities of stomata according to their environmental conditions. Measuring stomatal density provides a tool for investigating this variation.

Experiments

• A window on the past: Measuring stomatal density
  This procedure describes how to measure the density of stomata on a leaf epidermis. Use the method to collect data about stomatal density from plants grown in a range of conditions.
• Measuring rate of water uptake by a plant shoot using a potometer
  Potometers with fine capillary tubes are favoured apparatus for measuring transpiration rate from plant shoots. Other designs of apparatus are available.
• Estimating rate of transpiration from a plant cutting
  Measure total change in mass, or volume of water taken up to estimate the amount of water lost from a plant cutting by transpiration.