On the effect of hydrostatic pressure on plants - Research Proposal Example

The four plants will be subjected to external pressure values in a closed medium for a period of two months, while the one (controlled plant) will be left in the opening, without the closed medium pressure control. Water level and pressure will be monitored every 2-3 days to insure their constancy using two method while the water flow measurements are taken. The plant will experience four different external pressure values in a closed medium for approximately two months. Water level and pressure will be monitored every 2-3 days to insure their constancy using two methods.

Factors such as stem length and diameter leaves length and manifestation, room and soil temperature, water soil to leave ratio, coloration, and other vegetation and evolving aspects will be measured. The observed changes in the above factors would be compared to observed changes in these factors in the case of the control plants, in an attempt to identify the effect of an external pressure on a plant. Aim of the Study Osmotic pressure is that pressure that is required to be applied to a solution in order to prevent the flow of water inwardly across a semipermeable membrane (Edward 34).

Fundamentally, it is the minimum pressure required to nullify osmosis. . Studies have shown that many plants require osmotic pressure for purposes of performing many functions. For instance, herbaceous plants depend on turgor pressure on the plant cell wall to allow them stand upright. Moreover, the regulating of the opening and closing of the stomata in plants is only achieved through osmotic pressure. Animals cells, on the other hand, lack cell wall, thus excessive osmotic pressure can cause cytolysis.

The importance of osmotic pressure has been the reason behind increased studies on this subject. Osterhout1 (34), for instance sought to investigate the process of water movement in a cell in a process referred to as osmosis. In other studies, Mees and Weatherley (56) carried out an experiment to ascertain the mechanism of water movement in plant roots. Similarly, Voet, Judith, Voet and Pratt, (56) sought to investigated the application of osmosis in Biochemistry. Fiscus (1975) explored the interaction between Osmotic and Pressure-induced Water Flow in Plant Roots.

In this research Fiscus was confined to the interaction of water and solute transport in the detached root systems and the non-linear relationship existing between driving force and water. In yet another study, Edward (35) demonstrated that under influence of applied hydrostatic pressure gradients there was a drop in resistance of water flow in the detopped tomato root systems. In this study, Mees and Weatherley showed that in simple membrane systems, it is possible to have changes in water conductivity with increasing hydrostatic pressure without actual change in the hydraulic conductivity coefficient.

The findings of this study, as well showed that in absence of hydraulic pressure gradient, such a system may develop a steady state concentration