ABSORPTION AND LOSS OF WATER BY TOMATO LEAVES IN A SATURATED ATMOSPHERE

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Abstract
Tomato plants were grown to approximately 20 cm in height in 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks filled with soil. These flasks were sealed with an asphalt emulsion, placed in a fogged atmosphere and weighed every 24 hours. A u. tube was placed in the flask in such a manner that the atmospheric pressure inside and outside was equalized. No appreciable amount of water passed through the tube from the fog to the soil. The moisture content of the soil in the several flasks at the start of the experiment varied from near the wilting point to approximately field capacity. After the third day in the fog, the cultures began to lose weight. After 18 days, the moisture content of all cultures had been reduced so much that all plants wilted as soon as removed from the fog. All plants increased in height during the experiment, those in the moist soil growing more rapidly than those in dry soil. Adventitious roots appeared on the stems of all plants but were more numerous on plants in moist soils. Similar results were obtained from a second set of plants in which air was slowly forced through the soil while the plants were in the fog.