Plant Water Potential Meter

The Plant Water Potential Meter is an analytical instrument used to measure plant water status and its constituent components, as well as to extract xylem sap from woody tissues for compositional analysis. This instrument facilitates research into plant water relations and the interactions between plants and their environment. The Plant Water Potential Meter is suitable for research in plant physiology, ecology, agronomy, forestry, and forage science. It guides rational water use for crops and forest/grasslands, as well as drought-resistant breeding efforts, making it an essential instrument for agricultural and forestry education and research.

This device features simple operation and rapid testing, suitable for both indoor and outdoor field measurements.

Within the continuous soil-plant-atmosphere system, plant roots and stems continuously absorb water from the soil, while leaves constantly lose water through evaporation into the surrounding environment. Within this water potential gradient system, a corresponding water potential gradient must exist between the roots, stems, and leaves. This gradient creates a negative pressure due to the lower water potential of the surrounding air, forming a pulling force that drives water upward through the xylem vessels.

When a plant branch or leaf is cut, this turgid water column in the xylem breaks. The water column then contracts inward from the cut surface toward the upper end. Place the cut material into the instrument's pressure chamber (operating procedure detailed in the following section). Extend one end of the cut surface outdoors and seal it. Apply pressure to rebalance the tension within the branch or leaf, pushing the small water column back precisely to the cut surface. At this point, the water droplet detection probe automatically detects the seepage of water droplets and locks the measurement data. The pressure value displayed by the instrument represents the current water potential of the plant.

• Features a 4.3-inch color LCD touchscreen with support for switching between Chinese and English menus.

• Supports both automatic and manual measurement modes with one-touch switching; sensor sensitivity is adjustable in automatic mode.

• Supports selection between MPa and Bar pressure units.

• Emits a long beep when automatic measurement sampling succeeds or when data is recorded in manual mode.

• Features robust storage capability, capable of storing up to 9,999 records.

• Supports one-touch deletion of all measurement data.

• Data can be uploaded to a computer via USB cable. The software automatically connects to the device port and supports saving stored data in Excel format.

• Includes built-in user instructions for quick and easy operation.

• Features a clock function and voltage display.

• Keypad lights provide visual indicators during charging and upon completion.