UPTAKE AND MOVEMENT

OF WATER IN PLANTS
EXERCISE 13
Robles | Serrano | Villaver
TISSUE CONCERNED WITH
WATER ASCENT IN THE
STEM
The effect of defoliation on the ascent
of water in the stem
Species Used: Boehmeria nivea

Result: SET UP LENGTH OF STAINED

PORTION (cm)
defoliated 6.5
Intact leaves 9.0

Figure 13.1 Cross-section of the stained portion the stem of Boehmeria nivea
Discussion
LIFTING POWER OF
TRANSPIRATION
Lifting power of transpiration
Species Used: Ixora coccinea

Result:
Total time of observation: 30 min.

SET UP MAX. HEIGHT RATE OF ASCENT

(cm) (cm/min)
defoliated 1.7 0.06
Intact leaves 3.2 0.11

Maximum of height (cm)

Rate of ascent = ____________________
(cm/min) Total time of observation (min)
Calculations
1.7 cm 0.0566666 cm/min
Defoliated rate of
= ______ =
ascent (cm/min) or 0.06 cm/min
30 min.

Intact leaves rate of

3.2 cm
______ = 0.106666 cm/min
=
ascent (cm/min)
30 min. or 0.11 cm/min
Discussion
THE EFFECT OF LIGHT
AND WIND ON THE RATE
OF TRANSPIRATION
Potometer method
Species Used: Ixora coccinea

Result:
Total time of observation: 5 min.

ENVIRONMENTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED TRANSPIRATION

CONDITION 1 2 3 Mean RATE (ml/hr)
Low light & still air 11 11 11.2 11.07 26.07
High light & windy 11.5 13.5 14.5 13.17 31.02

Transpiration
πr2h
____________________
=
rate (ml/hr) Total time of observation (hr)
Calculations
Π(0.25 2)(11.07)
Low light & still = ___________ = 26. 06985 ml/hr
air TR (ml/hr) 5/60 hr.

Π(0.25 2)(13.17)
Intact leaves rate of
= ___________ = 31.015535 ml/hr
ascent (cm/min)
5/60 hr.
Discussion
Weighing method
Species Used: Glycine max

Result:
ENVIRONMENTAL Weight (g) Total surface Transpiration
CONDITION Initial Final Difference area of leaves rate per leaf
(cm2) area
(g/hr cm)
Plant exposed to light
Plant under shade

Initial weight – Final weight

Transpiration rate ____________________
per leaf area =
(g/hr cm) (leaf area) (time)
Calculations
Discussion
CONCLUSION
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Why should the shoot be cut
under water?
2. Given the following water potential values
in the different plant parts:
leaf = -2.00 MPa stem= -1.0 MPa
root= -0.6 MPa soil= -0.3 MPa
In what order will the water move within the
plant body? Give the reason for your answer.
3. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of transpiration?
References