Institution: University of Embu.

Name: Samuel Maina.

Regd No.: B521/1126/2017.

Unit code: SBT 537

Unit title: Eutrophication and Pollution.

Topic: Describe the various methods of measuring the rates of transpiration in plants.

Introduction

Transpiration is the loss of water from a plant in the form of water vapor. The water is absorbed
by roots from the soil and transported as a liquid to the leaves via xylem. In the leaves, small
pores known as stomata allow water to escape as a vapor. However, of all the water absorbed by
plants, less than 5% remains in the plant for growth.

The rate of transpiration in a plant varies depending on a range of conditions, including light
intensity, relative humidity, wind speeds and temperature, as well as between plant species. The
various manipulations to the plant can also affect transpiration rate. There several methods by
which the amount of water vapor given off by plants can either be estimated, or demonstrated.
These methods may be grouped into three classes. In the first of these the plant is potted, and
weighed at intervals; the loss of weight is assumed to be due to the evaporation of water from its
surface. In a second class the plant is enclosed in a tight receptacle and the vapor evolved from it
is collected in some kind of drying material which is weighed before and after the experiment, if
there is any increase in weight that is attributed to the absorption of water which was derived
from the plant. In the third class the amount of water transpired is estimated from the amount
absorbed by the plant. However, the apparatus employed in this class is called potometer.
Methods of measuring transpiration

The Potometer method

This is a device used for measuring the rate of water uptake of a leafy plant shoot. The main
reason for water uptake by a cut shoot is transpiration and is affected by the transpiration stream.
By changing the surrounding atmospheric conditions, the effect on transpiration of wind, heat,
and humidity can be measured. Potometers are difficult to set up, because air bubbles in the
xylem of the plant or in the apparatus itself will prevent the device from working properly.

Basic design of a potometer; it consists of a length of capillary tube through which the bubble
is introduced to the capillary tube as the water is taken up by the plant, the bubble moves. The
distance the bubble travels in a given time is determined by the rate of transpiration by the plant.
A reservoir; by turning the tap on the reservoir, the position of the bubble can be set at the start
of the experiment. A tube for holding the shoot; the shoot is usually held in place by inserting a
rubber bung in the tube. The hole in the bung through which the shoot passes must be thoroughly
greased with petroleum jelly to keep it airtight.

Steps on how to set up a potometer

1. Cut a leafy shoot from a plant for example maize and plunge its base into water. This
prevents the xylem from taking up any air.

2. Back in the laboratory, put the stem into a large sink full of water and carefully trim the
shoot again, by cutting off the bottom under water with a sharp razor blade. Keep the
leaves out of the water.

3. Immerse the whole of the potometer into the sink. Move it about until all the air bubbles
come out.

4. Put the shoot stem into the bung, grease the joint with plenty of petroleum jelly, then put
the bung into the potometer.

5. Make sure the tap is closed, then lift the whole ensemble out of the water.
 6. Leave the end of the capillary tube out of the water until an air bubble forms then put the
end into a beaker of water.

How potometer works.

First, allow the bubble time to round the corner and start at the beginning of the mm scale. Then,
time how far the bubble moves in a given period of time. Repeat under different conditions and
compare. The usual conditions to try are placing the plant in a bright light, placing it by a fan,
and placing it in a humid atmosphere. If the surface area of the leaves is measured, then it is
possible to compare the transpiration rates of different species of plant. A useful comparison unit
could be Water loss (ml)/ cm3/minute.

Limitations of a potometer include the following;

1. Introducing the air bubble is not easy.

2. The twig may not fully remain alive for a long time.

3. Any changes in the outside air temperature may affect the position of the air bubble in the
capillary tube.
By measuring the humidity of air method.

This method is used for measuring the rate of transpiration from a single leaf. The leaf is
enclosed in plastic glass chamber and sealed. Then, air is passed through the chamber at a
definite flow rate. The humidity of the air before entering the chamber and after leaving the
chamber is measured.

Amount of water transpired= Relative humidity (after closing the chamber) – initial relative
humidity of chamber.

The relative humidity is measured by several methods. The simpler method of measuring
humidity of air, is by use of hygroscopic substance such as P2O5 or CaCl2. The attached leaves
are enclosed in the chamber which contains small tubes containing weighted amount of P2O5 or
CaCl2. In a control chamber, similar tubes are placed but no leaf in enclosed. The tubes are
weighted after a definite and the amount of water transpired by leaf is calculated.

By weighing potted plants method

For example a potted herbaceous plant is taken and can be weighed before and after the end of a
certain period of time. It is well water and pot including soil surface is well covered with a
waterproof material to prevent evaporation of soil. The pot is kept over pan balance and loss of
weight over a definite time is recorded. The loss in weight by the plant during that time is due to
the loss of water by transpiration.

Limitations of this method

1. It will be reasonable to employ this method of transpiration measurement over short

periods only.
2. If the measurements are continued for few days, the increase in plant weight may occur
due to growth.
The polymeter method

This method involves the use of an apparatus which consists of a hygrometer, a bell-glass and a
water-proof base. It is used to measure a variety of metrological conditions including
transpiration. It is usually a substantially made brass instrument which carries a hair hygrometer
and a thermometer, and is provided with a solid base which enables the instrument to stand
upright when in use. The hygrometer indicates the relative humidity, and it is also provided with
a scale by which the temperature of the dew-point may be approximately determined. The
maximum vapor-pressure for any temperature is written on the thermometer, which
unfortunately is graduated according to the Fahrenheit scale. This instrument provides a means
of telling directly, therefore, the temperature of the air, the maximum vapor-pressure, the relative
humidity, and the dew-point. From any pressure the relative humidity, and the dew-point. The
polymeter can be used to demonstrate the fact of transpiration, and if the cubic contents of the
bell-glass are known, from data given by it the amount of transpiration can also be estimated.