School Science/Potometer

A potometer is a device used for measuring the rate of water uptake of a leafy plant shoot. The main reason for water uptake by a cut shoot is transpiration (evaporation in plants) and is affected by the transpiration stream.

A device for measuring rate of transpiration

By changing the surrounding atmospheric conditions, the effect on transpiration of wind, heat, and humidity can be measured. Potometers are notoriously difficult to set up, because air bubbles in the xylem of the plant or in the apparatus itself will prevent the device from working properly.

The basic design of a potometer

It consists of:

• A length of capillary tube An air bubble is introduced to the capillary. As water is taken up by the plant, the bubble moves and its length of movement is measured by the scale attached with capillary tube . The distance the bubble travels in a given time is determined by the rate of transpiration by the plant.
• A reservoir. By turning the tap on the reservoir, the position of the bubble can be set at the start of the experiment. Some designs of potometer use a syringe instead of a funnel with a tap.
• A tube for holding the shoot. In the diagram the shoot is held in place by inserting a rubber bung in the tube. The hole in the bung through which the shoot passes must be thoroughly greased with petroleum jelly to keep it airtight.

Setting up:

1. Cut a leafy shoot from a plant (e.g. Pelargonium) and plunge its base into water (try not to get any water on the leaves). This prevents the xylem from taking up any air.
2. Back in the laboratory, put the stem into a large sink full of water and carefully trim the shoot again, by cutting off the bottom under water with a sharp razor blade. Keep the leaves out of the water.
3. Immerse the whole of the potometer into the sink. Move it about until all the air bubbles come out.
4. Put the shoot stem into the bung, grease the joint with plenty of petroleum jelly, then put the bung into the potometer.
5. Make sure the tap is closed, then lift the whole ensemble out of the water.
6. Leave the end of the capillary tube out of the water until an air bubble forms then put the end into a beaker of water.

Using a potometer

Allow the bubble time to go around the corner and start at the beginning of the millimeter scale. Then measure how far the bubble moves in a given period of time. Repeat under different conditions and compare. The usual conditions to try are placing the plant in a bright light, placing it by a fan, and placing it in a humid atmosphere. If the surface area (both sides) of the leaves are measured then it is possible to compare the transpiration rates of different species of plant. A useful comparison unit could be Water loss(ml)/cm²/minute

Limitations of a potometer

1. Introducing the air bubble is not easy.
2. The leafy shoot may not remain fully alive for as long as wanted.
3. Any changes in the outside air temperature may affect the position of the air bubble in the capillary tube.

See also

• Transpiration