Question

Explain the components of water potential.

Answer 1

The water potential of a given solution is the sum of four major component potentials. :

• Gravitational potential( ψg), Matric potential (ψm), Osmotic potential( ψ s ), and pressure (ψp).

ψ = ψ s + ψp + ψg + ψm

• Osmotic potential: Also called solute potential. It considers the effect of dissolved solutes on water potential.
• Pressure potential: The pressure potential is the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the potential energy of a solution.
• Gravitational potential: It depends on the water position in the field of gravitation.
• Matric potential: It depends on the force that binds water to a dry matrix i.e. adsorptive forces.