Transpiration and energy exchange

TitleTranspiration and energy exchange
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1966
AuthorsGates DM
JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology
Volume41
Pagination353-364
KeywordsWATER
Abstract

Transpiration from a plant leaf is considered as a gaseous diffusion process driven by the net radiation absorbed by a leaf. The transpiration process is formulated analytically and the required transpiration rates are given for specified environmental conditions. Transpiration is limited by the internal diffusion resistance of a leaf; values of the resistance are reported for a number of native species. The midday slump of photosynthesis and transpiration, which often occurs during warm summer days, can be explained on a biochemical-biophysical basis related to high leaf temperatures.