Question

In herbaceous plants having thin soft leaves, the rate of cuticular transpiration is found to be

• A. 10% of the total transpiration.
• B. 30% of the total transpiration.
• C. 50% of the total transpiration.
• D. 70% of the total transpiration.

Answer 1

The correct option is C 50% of the total transpiration.

Cuticular transpiration is the loss of water in the vapour form from the general surface (leaves and young stems) through the layer of cuticle. Cuticular transpiration continues throughout day and night unlike stomatal transpiration, which stops during night time. Cuticular transpiration is appreciable only in case the cuticle is thin as in mesophytic plants growing in humid areas. Commonly, it is 3 to 10 percent of the total but may be appreciable up to half of the total transpiration, in case of herbaceous plants because in herbaceous plants the surface of leaves is covered with the thin cuticle. Thus, the correct answer is option C.