Abstract
In this paper we describe a non-invasive method of measuring leaf water content using THz radiation and combine this with psychrometry for determination of leaf pressure–volume relationships. In contrast to prior investigations using THz radiation to measure plant water status, the reported method exploits the differential absorption characteristic of THz radiation at multiple frequencies within plant leaves to determine absolute water content in real-time. By combining the THz system with a psychrometer, pressure–volume curves were generated in a completely automated fashion for the determination of leaf tissue water relations parameters including water potential at turgor loss, osmotic potential at full turgor and the relative water content at the turgor loss point. This novel methodology provides for repeated, non-destructive measurement of leaf water content and greatly increased efficiency in generation of leaf PV curves by reducing user handling time.
Highlights
In this paper we describe a non-invasive method of measuring leaf water content using THz radiation and combine this with psychrometry for determination of leaf pressure–volume relationships
We demonstrate the effectiveness of a multi-frequency THz interrogation approach to determine water layer thickness within leaf samples, and we propose the use of THz radiation in combination with psychrometer measurements to dynamically produce PV curves of leaf samples in situ, wherein the water potential of plant leaves, in relation to their relative water content can be monitored
In this work we have demonstrated the application of tunable THz radiation to the determination of leaf relative water content (RWC) and in the generation of leaf PV curves
Summary
In this paper we describe a non-invasive method of measuring leaf water content using THz radiation and combine this with psychrometry for determination of leaf pressure–volume relationships. By combining the THz system with a psychrometer, pressure–volume curves were generated in a completely automated fashion for the determination of leaf tissue water relations parameters including water potential at turgor loss, osmotic potential at full turgor and the relative water content at the turgor loss point. The relative water content of a leaf has traditionally been measured using a high-sensitivity balance in a gravimetric weighing process, wherein the RWC is given as a ratio of the current leaf water content over leaf water content when fully saturated 8 This measurement requires the removal of a leaf (or stem) sample from the plant, hydration of the sample and complete drying of the sample. There may be perceived complexity when used for the generation of PV curves, wherein, the psychrometer may need to be detached and reattached for concurrent
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