| Sumario: | Experiments were undertaken using growth chamber grown corn plants (Zea mays, L. ) hybrid "United 108," to characterize the relative magnitude of the water-potential in the soil and within the plant. Root water potential was measured in situ with hygrometers attached to the roots (Bnmini, 3); a leaf hygrometer (Neumann and Thurtell, 7; Neumann, 8) was used to measure leaf water potential, and in situ measurements of soil water potential were made with a soil hygrometer (Brunini, 3).
The devices are attached to the leaves or roots, or inserted into the soil, allowing continuous measurements of the leaf; root and soil water potential. The results indicate that no apparent damage is caused to the roots by attaching the hygrometers to them. It was also observed that a difference up to 4 bar may exist between the water potential in the root xylem and in the root epidermis.
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