Estimating rate of transpiration from a

plant cutting.
Transpiration cannot be measured directly as some of the water will be used in
photosynthesis.

In this activity, cut a shoot from a plant and place it in a measuring cylinder of
water. Weigh the whole apparatus, then leave for a period of time during which
the plant will lose water by transpiration. Weigh the apparatus again. You can
also measure the change in volume directly, but with low accuracy.

This activity could be set up as a demonstration as described below, with 2-3

plant cuttings taken at intervals over a couple of days. Try to take cuttings as
early and as late in the day as you can, to get gaps of close to 8 or 16 hours
between cuttings. Alternatively, I could prepare a set of cuttings and make
measurements for the next step.

APPARATUS
Plant cutting with stem around 8 cm long and leaves at the top – privet is ideal, or you could
try busy lizzie (Impatiens) or pot geranium (Pelargonium)
Beaker of tap water
Cooking oil, about 10 cm3
Balance, sensitive to ± 0.1 g
Measuring cylinder (10 cm3 or 25 cm3)
Teat pipette, 2
Scissors
cellotape
Trays (Note 1)

PROCEDURE
Preparation:
Start preparing cuttings 2 days before the lesson.

1.Put water in 3 measuring cylinders.

2.Take 3 similar cuttings from the plant using scissors. By trying to get a length
of stem about 8 cm long with several leaves at the top.

3.Place the plant cutting in the measuring cylinder.

4.Adjust the water level to an exact level (for example 8 cm3) using the teat
pipette.

5.Make a note of the volume of water.

6.Add about 1 cm3 of oil to the measuring cylinder using the second teat
pipette, so that the oil sits on top of the water. Try not to get oil on the leaves.

7.Place the apparatus on the balance and record the mass.

8.On the measuring cylinder, write the starting volume of water, the mass of
the apparatus and the time and date the apparatus was set up.

9.Tape the measuring cylinder to a tray (Note 1).

10.Take 3 more cuttings at timed intervals for the next couple of days.

 I can weigh each set of apparatus and accumulate the data as a set,
recording how long ago the cylinders were set up, and how much the
mass and volume have changed.

Uptake of water gives an estimate of water loss by transpiration. However, if

the plant tissues were not fully hydrated at the start, or are not fully hydrated
now, the estimate could be incorrect in either direction.

Also, plants use some of the mass of water they absorb to make carbohydrates
by photosynthesis.

If the plant cuttings are growing actively, some increase in mass could be due to
growth, which will mean the transpiration rate is under-estimated. Conversely,
if some leaves die, there will be a loss in mass that will over-estimate the rate of
transpiration.