Why are trees being 'wilted down' when water is lacking?

Water is a very important factor for plants. However, the difference is that when water is lacking, plants, especially herbaceous plants, are wilted down.

When we are dehydrated, we will feel thirsty and tired. Meanwhile, plants, especially herbaceous plants, are wilted. What is the reason for this difference?

Like all other organisms, water is a very important factor for plants. However, the difference is that when water is lacking, plants, especially herbaceous plants, are wilted. This phenomenon does not happen in humans and animals, in the same condition. In fact, this difference comes from the structure of plants and how they use the water they absorb!

Picture 1 of Why are trees being 'wilted down' when water is lacking?

Water is a very important factor for plants.

For herbaceous plants, in addition to participating in cycles of life, water also plays a role in creating pressure, also known as panache, inside each cell, which helps the plant to stand upright and only. maintain its shape. However, like the phenomenon of sweating in animals, plants will also continuously lose the amount of water, which they absorb, through holes in the microscopic surface size called 'stomata'. This process is called 'Evaporation'.

Picture 2 of Why are trees being 'wilted down' when water is lacking?

Stomata of plants.

In fact, evaporation is essential for plants, because it is a step in plant photosynthesis. In addition, this process also creates a continuous flow of water. From there, help bring nutrients that the roots absorb to the organ in a higher position. In fact, the amount of water lost by this road is huge. According to scientists' estimates, to produce one kilogram of dry matter, plants must escape to about 200kg-1000kg of steam.

Picture 3 of Why are trees being 'wilted down' when water is lacking?

The movement of water in trees.

On the day of the drought, it is the transpiration that makes the water absorb less than the water lost. Consequently, the cells will not have enough water to maintain their strength and shrink. This is also the reason that we see the leaves of woody plants and branches, leaves, and stems of herbaceous plants withered and wilted, when dehydrated.

Picture 4 of Why are trees being 'wilted down' when water is lacking?

It is evapotranspiration that causes less water to be absorbed.

From a scientific perspective, wilting in plants is also a mechanism to adapt to their drought . Specifically, when the tree is wilted, the area of ​​their contact with the sun is significantly reduced. Since then, helping to limit the impact of heat from the sun, which caused the situation to get worse.

For most plants, if the time of wilting is not long and the wilting condition is still not serious, after being supplied with enough water, they will be very tense and green quickly.

Update 17 December 2018
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