Guttation

Guttation on strawberry leaves

Guttation on a horsetail , with yellow dung fly

Guttation is the process of releasing water in liquid form (especially drops) from plants and mushrooms . The water is released so that the transport of minerals from the roots into the leaves (in plants) is guaranteed despite the water saturation .

process

Guttation can occur at night in higher plants on the one hand, if there is no generally transpiration occurs because plants their stomata are closed and the root pressure water from hydathodes (special stomata pressed or spikes on the blade teeth). Another possibility is when the soil is very moist and warmer than the air and there is also a high level of humidity and thus the water potential of the air is too high to absorb further moisture. Complete perspiration is not possible under these conditions. In fungi, in contrast to higher plants, water is released through the cells of the mycelium.

Chemical composition

Guttation fluid can contain a variety of organic and inorganic components, mainly sugars and minerals (including sodium salts). Furthermore, water-soluble pesticides, which the plant ingests via the roots, are excreted via guttation drops.

After drying, a white crust remains on the leaf surface.

Demarcation

The guttation liquid must not be confused with the extra-floral nectar , as it is e.g. B. occurs in bow hemp ( Sansevieria ). Extrafloral nectar occurs only during flowering and is used to attract pollinating ants , while the guttation fluid is used to excrete excess fluid.

literature

• SCHUBERT, S .: Plant nutrition. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 978-3-8252-2802-6 .

Web links

Commons : Guttation  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Wiktionary: Guttation  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Weiler, Elmar; Lutz Nover (2008): General and molecular botany , Thieme Verlag. Page 246
2. ↑ James L. Goatley, Ralph W. Lewis: Composition of Guttation Fluid from Rye, Wheat, and Barley Seedlings . In: Plant Physiology . 41, No. 3, March 1966, pp. 373-375. doi : 10.1104 / pp.41.3.373 . PMID 16656266 . PMC 1086351 (free full text).
3. ↑ V. Girolami, L. Mazzon, A. Squartini, N. Mori, M. Marzaro, A. Di bernardo, M. Greatti, C. Giorio, A. Tapparo: Translocation of Neonicotinoid Insecticides From Coated Seeds to Seedling Guttation Drops: A Novel Way of Intoxication for Bees. In: Journal of Economic Entomology. 102, 2009, p. 1808, doi : 10.1603 / 029.102.0511 .