measuring tape
water and solute permeability of plant cuticles measurement and data analysis
p the study of permeability of plant cuticles is gaining interest since transport processes play a crucial role in plant ecology plant stress tolerance plant growth regulation plant protection phytopathology and the accumulation of xenobiotics in plants . penetration of neutral and ionic solutes can be modeled and predicted provided suitable experiments based on sound theories are conducted using whole leaves leaf disks or isolated cuticles . these measurements allow estimating water loss from plants including transgenic plants with an altered cuticle and wax composition . based on representative examples the authors describe the basics of sorption diffusion and permeability characteristics of cuticles . they present suitable experimental approaches including data analysis hints to erroneous interpretations and calculations to point out the physiological and ecological consequences .