Water potential vs. pressure in relation to water movement and transpiration in plants

An understanding of water movement in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum is important for sustainability of agriculture and the environment. Plant water movement involves complicated processes that are closely associated with the fields of soil science, plant physiology, physical chemistry, and climatology. Water movement on the filter strips was measured in pure water or in glucose solution (0.5 molality) each with bromocresol purple (0.006%) at ambient room temperature (24±1oC). The study demonstrates that water potential is the controller in water movement. This article helps better understand water relations in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum system and improve water management for alleviating water stress or leaf burns in commercial vegetable production.