Continuous monitoring of plant water potential

Plant water potential was monitored continuously with a Wescor HR-33T dewpoint hygrometer in conjunction with a L51 chamber. This commercial instrument was modified by replacing the AC-DC mains power converter with one stabilized by zener diode controlled transistors. The thermocouple sensor and ele...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant physiology (Bethesda) 1986-05, Vol.81 (1), p.45-49
Main Authors: Schaefer, N.L, Trickett, E.S, Ceresa, A, Barrs, H.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ABSORCION DE AGUA
ABSORPTION D'EAU
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biological and medical sciences
CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS
Dew point
Economic plant physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
GLYCINE MAX
HELIANTHUS ANNUUS
Hygrometers
MEASUREMENT
MEDICION
MESURE
MONITORING
PERIODICIDAD
PERIODICITE
PERIODICITY
Plant physiology and development
PLANT WATER RELATIONS
Plants
RELACIONES PLANTA AGUA
RELATION PLANTE EAU
Sensors
Soybeans
Sunflowers
SURVEILLANCE
Thermocouples
Transpiration
TRITICUM AESTIVUM
VIGILANCIA
Water and solutes. Absorption, translocation and permeability
Water pressure
Water relations, transpiration, stomata
WATER UPTAKE
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Summary:Plant water potential was monitored continuously with a Wescor HR-33T dewpoint hygrometer in conjunction with a L51 chamber. This commercial instrument was modified by replacing the AC-DC mains power converter with one stabilized by zener diode controlled transistors. The thermocouple sensor and electrical lead needed to be thermally insulated to prevent spurious signals. For rapid response and faithful tracking a low resistance for water vapor movement between leaf and sensor had to be provided. This could be effected by removing the epidermis either by peeling or abrasion with fine carborundum cloth. A variety of rapid plant water potential responses to external stimuli could be followed in a range of crop plants (sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., var. Hysun 30); safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L., var. Gila); soybean (Glycine max L., var. Clark); wheat (Triticum aestivum L., var. Egret). These included light dark changes, leaf excision, applied pressure to or anaerobiosis of the root system. Water uptake by the plant (safflower, soybean) mirrored that for water potential changes including times when plant water status (soybean) was undergoing cyclical changes.
ISSN:0032-0889
1532-2548
DOI:10.1104/pp.81.1.45