Plant Hydraulic Conductance

The HPFM-Gen3 measures how water movement relates to the pressure differences required to draw water from the soil or through a plant.

The hydraulic conductivity relationship is a quantitative analysis for roots and stems. The measurement is performed in the field, where in-situ root system can be measured in its natural environment.

In most cases, the analysis of a sample root or shoot is completed in as little as 10 minutes. HPFM-Gen3 measures the major components of the hydraulic conductance in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (reference #70). The hydraulic architecture of a whole shoot or of a single leaf can be represented by a resistance diagram similar to the electronic circuit shown. One can measure the values of the individual hydraulic resistances, then compute the pattern of water flow and water potentials in the resistance network. Each hydraulic resistance element (R) equals the pressure difference driving flow through the element divided by the resulting flow (F) (reference).

All data sets are saved within the Project Manager framework file structure. Transient results as well as QSS flow meter data are saved for easy viewing in with Excel, including the computed conductance, temperature and averaged results.