Investigation of Plant Water Relations with Divided Root Systems of Soybean

Soybean (Glycine max) was grown with root systems divided between adjacent cartons containing nutrient solution or soil. By adding polyethylene glycol (Carbowax 6000) to reduce solute potential or withholding water to reduce soil matric potential until water absorption from that side stopped, the root xylem water potential could be ascertained. Carbowax appeared to increase root resistance. An imbalance technique is described with which soil moisture contents of adjacent containers were followed individually. The patterns of water absorption obtained following repeated additions of water or addition of CaCl(2) solutions to one side indicated soil hydraulic conductivity became limiting at a soil water potential of -2 bars. A high concentration of CaCl(2) added to one side greatly reduced transpiration and produced severe plant injury. With part of the root system developing in nutrient solution, growth of roots into and water absorption from soil were slow; however, reduction of solute potential in the solution side greatly increased water absorption from the soil side.