Plants use large amounts of water in their growth, contributing to important consequences for agriculture and the distribution of plant communities. This book is a laboratory manual, and serves as a companion to the textbook, Water Relations of Plants and Soils, by Kramer and Boyer (1995). Much of our knowledge of plant and soil-water relations comes from thoughtful and careful measurements of the water status of the plant and its surroundings. This book emphasizes thermodynamic methods that can be reproduced at any time or place, indicating the energy used for water transport. The manual begins with a brief review of the relevant thermodynamics, followed by a description of principles and methods used in measuring chemical potential and its components, as well as the precautions necessary to insure success. The book also provides an explanation of the uses of the pressure chamber, thermocouple psychrometer, and pressure probes, as well as selected examples of experiments and references for further study. Key Features* Explains laboratory procedures for most-used water status research methods* Introduces underlying thermodynamic principles* Compares methods; points to possible conclusions* Provides example experiments for immediate application

Measuring the Water Status of Plants and Soils

Science & Math

Boyer, John S.

Biological Sciences

Academic Press

<p>Water Relations of Plants and Soils, successor to the seminal 1983 book by Paul Kramer, covers the entire field of water relations using current concepts and consistent terminology. Emphasis is on the interdependence of processes, including rate of water absorption, rate of transpiration, resistance to water flow into roots, soil factors affecting water availability. New trends in the field, such as the consideration of roots (rather than leaves) as the primary sensors of water stress, are examined in detail.</p>
<ul>
<li>Addresses the role of water in the whole range of plant activities</li>
<li>Describes molecular mechanisms of water action in the context of whole plants</li>
<li>Synthesizes recent scientific findings</li>
<li>Relates current concepts to agriculture and ecology</li>
<li>Provides a summary of methods</li>
</ul>

Water Relations of Plants and Soils

Kramer,Paul J.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Boyer, John S.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Boyer, John S.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Boyer, John S.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Measuring the Water Status of Plants and Soils

Water Relations of Plants and Soils