Rate of Transpiration Calculator
Understanding Transpiration and Its Rate
Transpiration is the process where plants absorb water through the roots and then give off water vapor through pores in their leaves. This process is vital for plant survival as it helps in the transport of water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant, cools the plant, and helps maintain turgor pressure. The rate of transpiration refers to how quickly this water loss occurs.
Factors Affecting Transpiration Rate:
- Environmental Conditions: Temperature, humidity, wind speed, and light intensity significantly impact transpiration. Higher temperatures, lower humidity, and stronger winds generally increase the rate.
- Plant Characteristics: Stomatal density and opening, leaf surface area, and cuticle thickness all play a role.
- Soil Moisture: Availability of water in the soil is crucial.
How This Calculator Works:
This calculator estimates the rate of transpiration by measuring the loss of water from a potted plant over a specific period. The assumption is that the primary way water is lost from the system is through transpiration. We account for potential evaporation by covering the soil surface to minimize its contribution.
The formula used is:
Rate of Transpiration = (Initial Mass – Final Mass) / Time Elapsed
The result is expressed in grams per hour (g/h), indicating the average amount of water lost by the plant through transpiration during the measured time.
Example Calculation:
Imagine you have a potted plant. You measure its mass, including the pot and soil, which is 1500.50 grams. After 5 hours, you measure the mass again, and it is 1475.50 grams. Assuming the soil surface was covered to prevent evaporation, the rate of transpiration would be:
Rate = (1500.50 g – 1475.50 g) / 5 hours
Rate = 25.00 g / 5 hours
Rate = 5.00 g/h
This means the plant lost an average of 5.00 grams of water per hour through transpiration during that period.