Determination of Internal Water Status of Plants by Beta Ray Gauging

Changes in the water status in leaves of intact plants were determined with a beta-ray gauge. A C/sup 14/ source of beta radiation was placed on one side of a leaf and a thin window Geiger tube on the other side. Beta radiation traversing the leaf thickness was closely related to the relative turgidity of the leaf. The technique shows promise as a non-destructive, sensitive method of continuously monitoring the internal water status of intact plants. (auth)