Stomatal aperture is the dominant factor in the diffusion conductance of leaf surfaces, which controls both the water loss from plant leaves and the uptake of CO2 for photosynthesis. Measurements of diffusion conductance are therefore important indicators of plant water status and provide a valuable insight into plant growth and plant adaptation to environmental variables.

Quoted accuracy figures for other porometers and gas analysis systems are based on time-consuming laboratory set-up and calibrations which bear little comparison to field conditions. In contrast, the AP4 features simple direct calibration in the field against a tested physical standard.

The AP4 measures diffusion conductance by comparing the precise rate of humidification within a small cuvette to readings obtained with a calibration plate. The plate has 6 diffusion conductance settings whose values have been accurately determined by finite element analysis.

Features

  • Direct readout of conductance or resistance
  • Simple absolute calibration in the field
  • Minimizes leaf stress during measurement
  • Ideal for phenotyping based research
  • Award-winning user interface

Downloads

Parameter Reading range Resolution [1] Accuracy [2] Test conditions
Reading Range
Conductance 5.0 -1200 mmol m-2 s-1 0.1 – 10 ± 10 % 5 – 800 mmol m-2 s-1
± 20 % 800 – 1200 mmol m-2 s-1
Conductance 0.25 – 30.0 mm s-1 0.01 – 0.1 ± 10% 0.25 – 20 mm s-1
± 20 % 0.5 – 40 s cm-1
Resistance 0.2 – 40 s cm-1 0.01 – 0.1 ± 10 % 0.5 – 40 s cm-1
± 0.2 s cm-1 0.2 – 0.5 s cm-1
RH 0 – 100% 0.1 ± 4%
Cup temp -5 – +55 °C 0.1 ± 0.7 °C 0 – 50 °C
Cup-leaf temp -5 – +5 °C 0.1 ± 0.2 °C 0 – 50 °C
PAR flux [3] 0 – 2500 µmol m-2 s-1 10 ± 15%
Pressure [4] 600 – 1200 hPa, settable in steps of 5 hPa
RH cycle level 20 – 80 %RH, settable in steps of 5%

[1] Resolution varies with the magnitude of the value obtained. The range shown corresponds to the reading range. In relative terms, the resolution is better than 2%, but at least the smallest amount shown.
[2] The stated accuracy applies over the range of the calibration plate and for optimum cup conditions, i.e. from +10 to -5° C difference between actual cup temp. and that existing at calibration, and for +2.5 to -2.5 °C difference between leaf and cup temperatures.
[3] Spectral and cosine responses are approximate only.
[4] Ambient pressure may be read from a Wristwatch Barometer type PBR1. [5] Cycling at extreme combinations of temperature, conductance and RH level may not always be possible.