Transpiration and Guttation

Transpiration and Guttation are two similar processes by which plants get water from their roots to the rest of the plant. Transpiration is the process in which moisture is given off through tiny pores on the surface of leaves and branches. Guttation occurs when water droplets are excreted out of sieve-like structures that are located along leaf veins.

Likewise, both methods have some common functions like cooling and providing nutrients for plants, but they differ in a few significant ways.

What is Transpiration?

Transpiration is the process in which moisture is given off through tiny pores on the surface of leaves and branches. The leaves of plants are endowed with tiny pores on their surface that allow them to talk to their roots. These air spaces within leaves allow the exchange of water and other molecules between plants and soil. Transpiration pulls water through plant tissues, which results in evaporation of water from the plant itself, as well as its loss into the atmosphere. As a result, transpiration plays an important role in the exchange of gases between plants and its environment.

Causes of Transpiration

Transpiration causes the loss of water from plant tissues. Air is the medium that transpires through these pores, which results in evaporation of water from the plant itself, as well as its loss into the atmosphere. This is an important process for plants to acquire water and other substances through their roots.

The amount of moisture lost by plants through transpiration can be calculated by simple equations. The factors that govern this process are –

• Air Temperature
• Moisture Content of Soil, Water Content of Air and Transpiration Rates
• Relative Humidity (RH) or concentration of water vapour in air
• Plant Size, Type and Age

What is Guttation?

Guttation is a process by which water droplets are excreted out of sieve-like structures located along leaf veins. This can be observed when water drops are seen falling down along the sides of the leaves. These droplets are actually a mixture of mucus and pure water. This is a non-visible activity in plant tissues that happens to involve stem cells.

Causes of Guttation

Guttation is caused by the plant’s release of mucus. This mucus accumulates in these sieve-like structures along leaf veins and is excreted after the leaves are fully expanded. The mucous droplets are actually a mixture of water and some organic compounds such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, enzymes and others. For this reason, gout is also called polyphenol-guttation or polyphenol release.

The amount of liquid lost through guttation depends upon the area and number of sieve-like structures present on the plant. Guttation can be a very effective method of cooling plants by evaporation of water and removing excess water.

Transpiration and Guttation: Difference

1. Transpiration is the process in which moisture is given off through tiny pores on the surface of leaves and branches. Guttation occurs when water droplets are excreted out of sieve-like structures that are located along leaf veins.
2. Transpiration mainly depends upon temperature, amount of humidity and size of plant. Guttation, on the other hand, does not depend upon size or age of plant.
3. Plants can transpire moisture even when they are not immersed in water. Guttation happens when water droplets are excreted from sieve-like structures that are located along leaf veins.
4. Transpiration is a passive process, whereas Guttation is not.
5. Transpiration results in a loss of water from plant tissue. Guttation occurs when these droplets are excreted from sieve-like structures that are present along leaf veins. These structures help to retain water in the plant tissues.
6. The amount of moisture lost through transpiration varies with weather conditions and the type of soil used. Guttation is a passive process, which results in loss of droplets containing polyphenols, enzymes and other organic compounds along with pure water.
7. The major difference between Transpiration and Guttation is the way by which water leaves the plant.
8. Guttation is a normal phenomenon found in plants. Transpiration occurs in all plants, but it is more dominant in green and succulent plants, which have large surface areas.
9. Guttation causes loss of water from plant tissues. However, transpiration brings about the loss of water from plant tissues into the atmosphere through leaf pores.
10. Transpiration affects the overall health of plants to some extent. In addition to this, Guttation also has a role in making sure that leaves are not infected with microorganisms or fungi.

Conclusion

Water is the basic vital element required by all living organisms. The process of transpiration helps all plants to take in water and other substances from soil, while sweating produces certain chemical compounds that are needed by plants. In some cases, Guttation occurs after the excretion of water droplets by sieve-like structures, which help to retain water in plant tissues. These droplets are a mixture of pure water and organic components like polyphenols and polysaccharides along with mucus.