Tests and studies: Transpiration Tests
We can run transpiration tests to to find out where moisture exits the leaves.
How long will it take?
5 days
What do we need?
- 4 sandwich bags
- 4 15cm lengths of string
- Vaseline
- Millimetre measuring container
How do we do it?
- Pick four different leaves on the tree
- Place Vaseline on the top of one leaf
- Place Vaseline on the underside of the second leaf
- On the third leaf place Vaseline on the top and the underside of the leaf
- Don’t have any Vaseline on the final leaf as this will act as the control
- Place a sandwich bag over each of the four leaves
- Tie the bags tightly onto the tree using the string
- Come back after 5 days to investigate the results
- Pour the contents of each bag separately into the millimetre measuring container
My results?
That most moisture comes from the underside of the leaf. Stomata are the holes that allow moisture to escape from the leaves. They are concentrated mostly on the underside of the leaf.
Control – 7ml
Vaseline on top – 4ml of water
Vaseline on bottom – 2ml of water
Vaseline on both sides – 1ml of water