Ganong's Potometer is an apparatus used to measure rate of transpiration by using shoot containing leaves and it is measured by the time taken by a bubble to move a set distance in the capillary tube of Potometer.
It works on the principle of capillarity.
There are three parts in the potometer that work differently to provide the data as:
1. A Capillary tube through which a bubble is introduced. When the water is absorbed and taken up by the roots of plant, the bubble starts moving. The rate of water uptake by the plant determines the distance travelled by the bubble.
2. A reservoir in which the tap is turned and the position of the bubble is set at the start of the experiment.
3. A tube used for holding the shoot in contact with water but it should be airtight.
The rate of transpiration is measured by two ways. First one is by indirectly measuring the distance that the water level drops in the graduated tube over a measured length of time.
Secondly by directly measuring the reduction in mass of the potometer over a period of time. Here, any loss in mass is assumed that it occurred by transpiration.