Difference Between Guttation and Transpiration

The main difference between guttation and transpiration is that the guttation is the loss of liquid water only from the margin of the leaves while in transpiration, the loss of water from the leaves and the stem occurs in the form of water vapor. Furthermore, guttation occurs through hydathodes while transpiration occurs through stoma and lenticels.

Guttation and transpiration are two methods of water loss from plants. They help in pulling water from roots to the upper parts of the plant.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Guttation
     – Definition, Process, Role
2. What is Transpiration
     – Definition, Process, Role
3. What are the Similarities Between Guttation and Transpiration
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Guttation and Transpiration
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Guttation, Herbaceous Plants, Importance, Terrestrial Plants, Transpiration, Water State

What is Guttation

Guttation is the loss of water in the form of a liquid from hydathodes present in the margin of the leaf of herbaceous plants. Hydathodes are a special type of stoma and they are also called water stoma. Guttation mainly occurs in the morning, when atmospheric humidity is high. Guttation requires a high moisture content in the soil. At night and in the morning, the moisture content of the oil is high but, transpiration does not takes place. Therefore, the water potential inside the plant is very high.

Figure 1: Guttation on a Strawberry leaf

The liquid comes out in guttation is the xylem sap, which contains a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds in water.

What is Transpiration

Transpiration is the evaporation of water in the form of water vapor through the stoma and the cuticle of the leaf and lenticels of the young stem. Generally, stoma opens in the presence of sunlight with the progression of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis itself requires water, which comes to the leaf by translocation. The excess water evaporates out through the stoma by transpiration. Nearly 10% of the atmospheric moisture comes through transpiration.

Figure 2: Overview of Transpiration
1. Absorption of Water from Roots, 2. Transport through the Stem, 3. Transpiration

With the evaporation of water from leaves, a pulling force is generated on the water inside the plant from the roots towards the leaves. This aids in the generation of root pressure, which is essential in the absorption of water through roots. Also, transpiration is the major process that helps in the cooling of the plant body.

Factors that Affect Transpiration

• Number of stoma
• Presence or absence of a cuticle
• Size of the leaf
• Number of leaves in the plant
• Amount of light obtained by the plant
• Temperature and the relative humidity of the atmosphere
• Speed of the wind
• Supply of water into the plant

Similarities Between Guttation and Transpiration

• Guttation and transpiration are two methods of losing water mainly from the leaves of the plants.
• They are important in pulling water from roots to the leaves.
• Also, they are important in transporting water and minerals to the leaves and cooling the plant body.

Difference Between Guttation and Transpiration

Definition

Guttation refers to the secretion of droplets of water from the pores of plants while transpiration refers to the evaporation of water from plants.

State of the Loosing Water

In guttation, water comes out as a liquid while in transpiration, water evaporates as water vapor.

Composition

Sugars, amino acids, and salts can come out through guttation while pure water comes out through transpiration.

Occurs through

Guttation occurs through hydathodes in the corner of the leaves while transpiration occurs though stoma and cuticle in the top, bottom surfaces of leaves and lenticels of stems.

Types of Plants

The guttation mainly occurs in herbaceous plants while the transpiration occurs in both terrestrial and herbaceous plants.

Conditions

Guttation occurs during the cold hours of the early morning or at night while transpiration occurs at the presence of light and high temperatures.

Humidity

Furthermore, the guttation occurs under humid conditions while transpiration occurs under dry conditions.

Loos of Water through Diffusion

Guttation does not favor the loss of water through diffusion while transpiration favors the loss of water through diffusion.

Factors

Also, the guttation depends on the availability of water in the plant and humidity while transpiration is mainly controlled by the opening and closing of the stoma.

Development of Root Pressure

Guttation plays a minor part in the development of root pressure while transpiration has a role in the development of root pressure.

Wilting

Guttation never results in wilting while excessive transpiration leads to wilting.

Conclusion

The guttation is the loss of water in the form of a liquid from hydathodes at the corner of the leaves. It mainly occurs in herbaceous plants. Transpiration is the evaporation of water through the stoma and the cuticle of the leaves and the lenticels of the young stem. It has a major role in generating the root pressure. The main difference between guttation and transpiration is the state of the loosing water and the importance of the process.

Reference:

1. “Loss of Water-Guttation.” Animal Biotechnology, Available Here
2. “Transpiration.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Oct. 2014, Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Guttation ne” By No machine-readable author provided. NoahElhardt assumed (based on copyright claims). – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims). (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Transpiration Overview” By Laurel Jules – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia