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In Situ Field Measurement of Leaf Water Potential Using Thermocouple Psychrometers ¹

Department of Soil Science and Agrometeorology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, Republic of South Africa 3201

Thermocouple psychrometers are the only instruments which can measure the in situ water potential of intact leaves, and which can possibly be used to monitor leaf water potential. Unfortunately, their usefulness is limited by a number of difficulties, among them fluctuating temperatures and temperature gradients within the psychrometer, sealing of the psychrometer chamber to the leaf, shading of the leaf by the psychrometer, and resistance to water vapor diffusion by the cuticle when the stomates are closed. Using Citrus jambhiri, we have tested several psychrometer design and operational modifications and showed that in situ psychrometric measurements compared favorably with simultaneous Scholander pressure chamber measurements on neighboring leaves when the latter were corrected for the osmotic potential.

¹ Supported by the University of Natal and the Department of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa. It is part of a dissertation submitted by MJS in partial fulfilment of Ph.D. requirements.

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				C. S. Campbell and K. J. McInnes Response of In Situ Leaf Psychrometer to Cuticle Removal by Abrasion Agron. J., September 1, 1999; 91(5): 859 - 862. [Abstract] [Full Text]