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Application to Plants

Plants are stationary and therefore have to be studied in situ (preferably in an intact ecosystem). Such studies are important to determine water transport processes and water relations. This information within higher plants including trees determines their biomass production, stress tolerance efficiency of water and nutrient use. Without doubt they are key information in relation to understand plant growth and transport responses to changing climatic conditions (e.g. atmospheric CO₂ assimilation) and to optimize plant growth (e.g. bio-fuel production). However, due to highly complex hydraulic, osmotic and electrical coupling the distribution and movement of water, nutrients and signal substances within the plant only occur in an authentic manner if the system is completely undisturbed. A request which could be solved by portable NMR devices.


Xylem (blue) and phloem (red) flow (mm³s^-1) in the stem of a poplar plant. Results from the Wageningen group (Windt et al. 2006).	Comparision of relaxation and flow contrast in a similar setup as on the left side but on a cucumber. Results from the Wageningen group (Scheenen et al. 2002).