GUTTATION Meaning and
Definition
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Guttation is a physiological process in plants that refers to the exudation or release of liquid droplets from the uninjured leaf margins or tips. These droplets are called guttation droplets and are visible on the surface of the leaves in the form of small water droplets or even a thin film of liquid. This process occurs mainly during the night or early morning when atmospheric humidity is high and soil moisture content is high.
Guttation is different from transpiration, which is the loss of water vapor from the plant through stomata, the small openings on the leaves. Instead, guttation occurs as a result of root pressure in the xylem vessels of the plant. When the soil is saturated with water and the plant has taken up more water than it needs, excess water is forced up through the xylem vessels and exudes out of special structures called hydathodes found on the leaf margins or tips.
This process primarily takes place in herbaceous plants and is commonly observed in certain types of grasses, as well as in other plants such as cucumbers and tomatoes. Guttation can be an indicator of high soil moisture levels, and excessive guttation can sometimes be seen as a symptom of overwatering.
In summary, guttation is the process by which plants exude liquid droplets through hydathodes located on the leaf margins or tips, as a result of root pressure in the xylem vessels.
Common Misspellings for GUTTATION
Etymology of GUTTATION
The word "guttation" has its roots in the Latin language. It comes from the Latin term "gutta" which means "a drop". The word was first coined in English in the early 20th century to describe the process by which water droplets appear on the tips or edges of leaves of plants.
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