15 Important Difference between Transpiration and Guttation

Transpiration and Guttation

Transpiration is the process by which water is lost from the leaves and other aerial parts of a plant through stomata (tiny pores on the surface of leaves). This loss of water occurs due to the difference in water potential between the plant’s internal tissues and the atmosphere. 

Guttation is a process in which plants excrete water in liquid form from their leaves, usually at the edges or tips. The process is driven by a pressure gradient created by root pressure or osmotic pressure. The water is released through specialised structures called Hydathodes. Hydathodes are found at the tips or margins of leaves. The water that is excreted can be a mixture of nutrients, hormones and other substances.Guttation usually occurs at night or in the early morning when the air is cool and humid.

15 Difference between Transpiration and Guttation in Tabular Format

	Factors	Transpiration	Guttation
1	Definition	Loss of water in the form of water vapour from the leaves and stems of plants	Exudation of liquid water from the tips or edges of leaves
2	Process	Water vapour is lost through Stomata, Lenticels and cuticles.	Water loss occurs through specialised structures called Hydathodes, which are found at the tips or margins of leaves
3	Process	Stomatal Transpiration is regulated by guard cells.	Opening of Hydathodes cannot be regulated.
4	Diffusion	Transpiration favours the loss of water through diffusion	Guttation does not favour the loss of water through diffusion
5	Occurrence	Occurs during the daytime when stomata are open and Transpiration is taking place	Occurs at night or during periods of high humidity, when stomata are closed but root pressure forces water out through Hydathodes
6	Occurrence	It occurs during dry conditions.	Depends on the availability of water in the plant and the humidity
7	Root Pressure	Root pressure is not involved.	It takes place due to development of Root Pressure.
8	Water	Water is pure and contains no salt.	Oozed out water is not pure and contains inorganic and organic substances.
9	Purpose	Helps regulate water balance and facilitates nutrient transport	Removes excess water and waste products from the plant’s tissues and delivers signalling molecules to neighbouring plants
10	Wilting	It may lead to loss of turgidity in leaf cells to cause wilting.	It has no effect on the turgidity of the leaf. Never results in wilting
11	Factors affecting rate	Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, light intensity), plant species and age, soil moisture content and nutrient availability, presence of pests or diseases	Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), plant species, presence of dew or other moisture on the leaves
12	Importance for plants	Plays a crucial role in the movement of water and nutrients from the soil to the plant’s leaves, where photosynthesis occurs	Helps maintain the plant’s water balance and remove excess water and waste products from the tissues
13	Importance for Plants	Transpiration maintains the temperature of the plant,It cools the plant body.	It has no relation with the temperature , It has no cooling effect on the plant.
14	Impact on environment	Contributes to the water cycle and can lead to water stress during periods of drought	Contributes to the formation of dew and deposition of nutrients onto the soil surface, but can also promote the growth of fungal pathogens
15	Plat types	Occurs in both terrestrial and herbaceous plants	Mainly occurs in herbaceous plants.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation – Detail Explanation

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Process

Transpiration involves the movement of water from the soil to the roots of the plant, then up through the stem and into the leaves, where it is lost as water vapour through the stomata (pores) on the surface of the leaves. The process of Transpiration is driven by the difference in water potential between the inside of the plant and the atmosphere. Water moves from areas of high water potential to areas of low water potential, so when the air outside the plant is drier than the air inside the plant, water vapour diffuses out of the plant.

Guttation, on the other hand, occurs when water is pushed out of the plant in the form of liquid droplets. This process is typically seen in plants that are actively transpiring and have a high soil moisture content. Guttation occurs when root pressure is high enough to force water out of the Hydathodes and this can happen even when the humidity outside the plant is high.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Occurrence

Transpiration occurs in all plants, both terrestrial and aquatic and it is a continuous process that takes place throughout the day and night. Guttation, however, is less common and only occurs in some plants, typically herbaceous plants and only under certain conditions, such as high soil moisture and high humidity. Guttation typically occurs during the night or early morning when Transpiration rates are low.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Diffusion

One of the main differences between Transpiration and Guttation is their effect on diffusion. Transpiration favours the loss of water through diffusion, as water vapour diffuses from areas of high water concentration to areas of low water concentration. This helps to remove excess water from the plant and maintain its water balance. 

Guttation does not favour the loss of water through diffusion. It occurs when liquid water is exuded from the Hydathodes and does not involve diffusion of water vapour. Guttation can be seen as a way for the plant to get rid of excess minerals or other substances that have accumulated in the plant.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Root Pressure

Transpiration does not involve root pressure, while Guttation occurs due to the development of root pressure. 

Root pressure is the pressure that forces water from the roots to the leaves and it is influenced by factors such as soil moisture, temperature and the age of the plant. In Guttation, root pressure builds up at night when the soil is moist and atmospheric humidity is high and water is pushed out of the leaf margins through specialised structures called Hydathodes.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Purpose

Transpiration helps regulate plant temperature and cools the plant by evaporative cooling. Guttation, on the other hand, serves to rid the plant of excess water in the soil, preventing the plant from becoming waterlogged.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Wilting

Transpiration can lead to wilting if excessive water loss causes a decrease in turgor pressure in the leaf cells. In contrast, Guttation has no effect on the turgidity of the leaf and never results in wilting.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Factors Affecting Rate

The rate of Transpiration is affected by various factors, including temperature, humidity, wind, light intensity and the availability of water in the soil. Higher temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions can increase the rate of Transpiration, while the opposite can decrease it.

The rate of Guttation is mainly affected by soil moisture levels, root pressure and the availability of water in the soil. Excessive watering or rainfall can lead to high soil moisture levels, increasing the rate of Guttation. In contrast, dry soil conditions can decrease Guttation. Root pressure plays a crucial role in Guttation and any factor that affects root growth, such as soil compaction, can impact Guttation.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Importance for Plants

Transpiration plays an essential role in plant survival, as it helps to regulate the plant’s temperature, prevent overheating and transport essential minerals and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. It also helps to maintain the plant’s shape and structure by providing turgidity and prevents wilting.

Guttation is a process that occurs when the plant has absorbed excess water and needs to release it. This process helps to reduce the water pressure in the plant’s xylem, which can otherwise lead to damage.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Impact on Environment

Transpiration is a crucial process in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, as it releases water vapour into the atmosphere, which helps to maintain the moisture content of the air. It also plays a significant role in the water cycle by contributing to the formation of clouds and precipitation.

Guttation, on the other hand, has a minimal impact on the environment as it only releases water droplets on the surface of the plant.

Also Check – Transpiration- Its Role in the Hydrologic Cycle

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation on the basis of Plant Types

Transpiration occurs in almost all terrestrial plants, including trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. The rate of Transpiration varies depending on the type of plant, environmental conditions and physiological factors.

Guttation mainly occurs in herbaceous plants, as they are more susceptible to absorbing excess water due to their smaller root systems. Woody plants also undergo Guttation but to a lesser extent.

Frequently Asked Questions on Transpiration And Guttation

What is the main difference between Transpiration and Guttation?

Answer – The main difference between Transpiration and Guttation is that Transpiration involves the loss of water in the form of water vapour from the leaves and stems of plants, while Guttation involves the exudation of liquid water from the tips or edges of leaves.

What is the process that drives Transpiration?

Answer – The process that drives Transpiration is the difference in water potential between the plant’s internal tissues and the atmosphere. Water moves from areas of high water potential to areas of low water potential, so when the air outside the plant is drier than the air inside the plant, water vapour diffuses out of the plant.

What is Root Pressure and how is it involved in Guttation?

Answer – Root Pressure is the pressure created by water entering the roots of a plant and pushing up against gravity. Root Pressure is involved in Guttation because it can force water out of the Hydathodes in the form of liquid droplets, even when the humidity outside the plant is high.

What are Hydathodes and where are they found?

Answer – Hydathodes are specialised structures found at the tips or margins of leaves that are involved in Guttation. They allow water to be excreted from the plant in liquid form.

How does Transpiration help to regulate water balance in plants?

Answer – Transpiration helps to regulate water balance in plants by removing excess water from the plant and maintaining its water balance. This allows the plant to absorb nutrients from the soil and transport them to the leaves, where photosynthesis occurs.

What environmental factors can affect the rate of Transpiration and Guttation?

Answer – Environmental factors that can affect the rate of Transpiration and Guttation include temperature, humidity, light intensity, soil moisture content, nutrient availability And the presence of pests or diseases.

What is the importance of Transpiration for the temperature regulation of plants?

Transpiration plays a crucial role in the temperature regulation of plants by cooling the plant body. As water evaporates from the plant’s leaves, it removes heat from the plant that helps to regulate its temperature.

How does Guttation remove waste products from a plant’s tissues?

Answer – Guttation removes waste products from a plant’s tissues by excreting them along with the excess water in the form of liquid droplets. This allows the plant to get rid of waste products without expending energy to transport them to other parts of the plant.

What is the impact of Transpiration and Guttation on the environment?

Answer – Transpiration and Guttation both contribute to the water cycle and can lead to water stress during periods of drought. Guttation also contributes to the formation of dew and deposition of nutrients onto the soil surface, but can also promote the growth of fungal pathogens.

Also Check – 14 Important Differences between Transpiration and Evaporation

Also Check – The Water Cycle: The Steps and Hydrologic Processes from Evaporation to Infiltration

Also Check – 13 Important Differences between Photosynthesis and Respiration

Also check – What is Transpirational Pull

Also check – What is Transpiration Stream

Also Check – Excessive Transpiration

Sources

• “Guttation.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 3 Aug. 2020, www.britannica.com/science/Guttation.
• Taiz, Lincoln and Eduardo Zeiger. Plant Physiology. Sinauer Associates, 2010.
• Jones, Hamlyn G. Plants and Microclimate: A Quantitative Approach to Environmental Plant Physiology. Cambridge University Press, 1992.
• “Transpiration.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 30 July 2021, www.britannica.com/science/Transpiration.