On the Problem of Cuvette-Climate (Preliminary Communication)

Abstract

Ecological investigations on gas exchange of plants usually demand that the test objects be enclosed in cuvettes for the period of experiment. Those containers made of glass or other transparent material work as heat traps, since in their interior considerably high temperatures will arise even at fairly normal insolation. This is because the natural air exchange between the plant surface and the surrounding atmosphere is interrupted by the walls of the cuvette winch prevent the heat arising within the container from radiating out. As a result of this situation rates of respiration and transpiration increase very rapidly to an abnormally high level, and in consequence of it movement of stomata, photosynthesis and the entire water relations of the enclosed plant are changed in a quite unnatural manner. Experimental data obtained under such conditions are practically useless.