The lowest amount of water in the soil that a plant requires to maint...
- Permanent wilting point (PWP) or wilting point (WP) is defined as the minimum amount of water in the soil that the plant requires not to wilt. If the soil water content decreases to this or any lower point a plant wilts and can no longer recover its turgidity when placed in a saturated atmosphere for 12 hours. Turgidity is the state of being turgid or swollen, especially due to high fluid content. Turgidity is essential in plant cells to make them keep standing upright. Plant cells that lose much water have less turgor pressure and tend to become flaccid.
- The matric potential at this soil moisture condition is commonly estimated at -15 bar. Most agricultural plants will generally show signs of wilting long before this moisture potential or water content is reached (more typically at around -2 to -5 bars) because the rate of water movement to the roots decreases and the stomata tend to lose their turgor pressure and begin to restrict transpiration.
- This water is strongly retained and trapped in the smaller pores and does not readily flow. The volumetric soil moisture content at the wilting point will have dropped to around 5 to 10% for sandy soils, 10 to 15% in loam soils, and 15 to 20% in clay soils.
- Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
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The lowest amount of water in the soil that a plant requires to maint...
The correct answer is option 'C) Permanent Wilting Point'.
Permanent Wilting Point:
The Permanent Wilting Point (PWP) is the lowest amount of water in the soil that a plant requires to maintain its turgidity. It is the point at which the soil moisture content is so low that the plant cannot extract enough water from the soil, leading to permanent wilting and death of the plant.
Factors affecting Permanent Wilting Point:
Several factors influence the permanent wilting point of a soil, including:
1. Soil Texture: Soils with finer textures, such as clay, have a higher water-holding capacity and a lower permanent wilting point compared to sandy soils. This is because the small particles in clay soils can hold onto water more tightly.
2. Organic Matter Content: Soils with higher organic matter content have a higher water-holding capacity and a lower permanent wilting point. Organic matter acts as a sponge, holding onto water and making it more available to plants.
3. Climate: In arid and semiarid regions with low rainfall, the permanent wilting point is generally higher compared to humid regions with higher rainfall. This is because plants in arid regions have adapted to survive with limited water availability.
4. Plant Species: Different plant species have different water requirements. Some plants have deeper root systems that can access water at lower soil moisture levels, while others have shallow root systems and are more sensitive to soil moisture deficits.
Importance of Permanent Wilting Point:
Understanding the permanent wilting point is crucial for agricultural practices and water management. It helps in determining the irrigation needs of crops and preventing water stress. By maintaining soil moisture above the permanent wilting point, farmers can ensure optimal plant growth and yield.
Conclusion:
The permanent wilting point is the lowest amount of water in the soil that a plant requires to maintain its turgidity. It depends on factors such as soil texture, organic matter content, climate, and plant species. Understanding the permanent wilting point is essential for effective water management in agriculture.
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