PLANTS' RELATIONSHIP WITH WATER

Rika laura, 2024

Group III, Plant Physiology, Biology Education
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Makassar State University
Email: rikalaura3882@gmail.com
Abstract
Plants and water have a close and mutually beneficial relationship. Water is essential for photosynthesis, which
allows plants to extract nutrients from the soil. Aquatic plants and mangroves are well adapted to humid
environments. Osmosis and diffusion are crucial processes in plants that require water to maintain the water-
nutrient balance and ensure survival. Plants also play a vital role in preserving water quality and providing
habitats for aquatic animals. Osmosis occurs in plant cells when water moves across the cell membrane. This
process helps maintain water balance and enables plants to thrive in various environments. The strong cell walls
of plant cells enable them to absorb large amounts of water without bursting. Overall, the relationship between
plants and water is integral to their life and sustainability.

Keywords : Plant, Water, Osmosis, Plasmolysis

1. Introduction through a membrane from an area of low solute

1.1. Background.
Plants need water to survive. Water
plays an important role in the process of
photosynthesis, where plants use solar energy to
produce sugar and oxygen from water and
carbon dioxide. In addition, water also plays a
role in transporting nutrients and minerals from
the soil to all parts of the plant.
Water is the main component in plant
body, where water makes up 60-90% of the
total weight of the leaf. The amount of water
contained in each plant varies, it depends on
habitat and type of plant species species.
Herbaceous plants contain more contain water
than shrubs. Thick-leafed plants have water
content between 85-90%, while for hydrophic
plants have a water content between 85-98%
and mesophyll plants have water content
between 100-300% (Fitter and Hay, 1981).
Another important process in plants is
osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water
concentration to an area of higher solute
concentration. This happens because water
molecules tend to move from areas of higher
water concentration to areas of lower water
concentration.
Osmosis occurs in plants when water is
transferred through the cell wall into the plant
cells. This process plays an important role in
maintaining the water balance in the plant and
allows the plant to survive in various
environmental conditions. The strong cell walls
of plants allow the absorption of large amounts
of water without causing the cell to rupture.
Apart from osmosis, diffusion is also an
important process in plants involving water.
Diffusion is the movement of substances from
an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration. This occurs in water and
water-soluble nutrients taken up by plants from
the soil. The nutrients move from areas of higher
concentration to areas of lower concentration.
 Water potential (\p), is the difference in stomatal transpiration are found on the surface of
chemical potential of water at a level in a leaves, epidermis young stems and young fruit
system with pure water at the same temperature lenticels found in the periderm of woody stems.
and at an air pressure of 1 atmosphere which is and fruit as ventilators. Transpiration through
equivalent to 102 kPa.Water potential is lenticels is only approximately 80%
controlled by temperature and solute
Water deficiency in plants can lead to
concentration.The greater the solute in the cell
irreversible changes and eventual death. Water
fluid the greater (more negative) the osmotic
plays a crucial role in regulating the temperature
potential value (ip^).The increasingly negative
of plants through transpiration. While sunlight is
osmotic potential value causes the water
needed for photosynthesis, it also increases the
potential value to follow the 14K value (Naiola,
temperature of plants. To prevent harm, plants
2016)
regulate their body temperature through
In plants, cohesion that occurs due to transpiration, wherein water leaves the plant body
hydrogen bonding plays a role in the through stomata, dissipating heat energy. This
transportation (transport) of water that against helps maintain a safe physiological temperature
gravity. Water reaches the leaf through for the plant. However, if transpiration is not
microscopic vessels that extend upwards from functioning properly, there can be an
the roots. Roots absorb water by osmosis. accumulation of heat energy, which can damage
Therefore, water absorption by plants may be cell organs, cells, and plant tissues. Water moves
accomplished by controlling the the water through a network of transport within the plant to
potential of the solution where the roots is ensure proper distribution. Overall, water is
located. If the osmotic potential of the external essential for the survival of plants, as it not only
solution is lower than the osmotic potential of allows for photosynthesis but also helps regulate
the cells, then water can enter from the into the temperature and prevent heat-related
root system. With As the concentration of damage.Water is an ingredient for
solutes increases, the entry of water into the photosynthesis, but only 0.1% of the total water is
roots will become slower until the direction of used for photosynthesis. Water used for
water movement may be reversed. transpiration plants is 99% and that used for
hydration 1%, including to maintain and cause
An important function of water in plants
better growth. During growth, plants require the
is to maintain cell turgidity There are 8 types of
right amount of water.
transpiration types of transpiration, namely
transpiration stomata, cuticle, and lenticels.
transpiration stomatal transpiration is the most
common form and approximately 90% of total
 indirectly maintain plant temperature
1.2. Practicum objectives (Handoko, 2020).
1.2.1. To determine the concentration of solute Water is essential for plants as it is used
in plant cells. in the photosynthesis process and to maintain
1.2.2. To find out the osmosis event in frog skin moisture in plant tissues. Plants absorb water
and chicken intestine through their roots with the help of osmosis and
1.2.3. Examine the effect of hypertonic solution. diffusion. Osmosis is the movement of water
1.2.4. Calculate the Osmosis Pressure of Cell through a selectively semipermeable membrane
fluid
from a low concentration region to a high
1.2.5. To know how to measure water potential
concentration region of a solution. Diffusion is
by chardakov method
the movement of particles from a region of high
concentration to low concentration without
1.3. Menefits of practicum
using energy. (Song N. & Torey P. 2018).
1.3.1. Students can determine the concentration
Since the concentration of sugars and
of solutes in plant cells..
salts is higher in plant cells than in the soil,water
1.3.2. Students are able to recognize the osmosis
will pass through the plant cell membrane by
event in frog skin and chicken intestine.
osmosis to reach drier cells.This process helps
1.3.3. Students can examine the effect of
hypertonic solution. maintain the turgor pressure in plant cells and
1.3.4. Students can calculate the Osmosis keeps them hydrated (Supriyadi, 2016).
Pressure of Cell fluid
The water potential in plant cells is
1.3.5. Students can know how to measure water
essential for plant life and growth. Like blood
potential with the Chardakov method.
for animals, water carries nutrients that are
essential for plant cells. The water potential in
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
plant cells is also very important for
The role of water in plant physiology is
maintaining turgor pressure in plants, so that
very important. The function or role of water
plants can remain standing upright and are able
in plants during growth and development,
to absorb nutrients and minerals from the soil.
among others: Water is the main component of
The ability of plant cells to regulate their water
protoplasm, high water content, high
potential is also very important for their
bioactivity, low water content, low bioactivity,
survival in ever-changing environmental
and water is a reagent in the plant body. In
conditions. Water potential is a key factor in
other words, in the process of photosynthesis,
understanding how water moves in and out of
water is a solvent (material). It is used to
plant cells, so it is very important to
understand in maintaining plant
(Tjahjoleksono, 2015).
Plasmolysis is a process that occurs in
plant cells when they lack water or are exposed
to a high-salt environment. This causes water
to escape from the cell, resulting in the
shrinking or wrinkling of the cytoplasm and
plasma membrane. Plasmolysis
because there is a difference
concentration of fluids inside and outside the
cell. When there is a water shortage or
exposure to high salt levels, the concentration
of fluid outside the cell becomes higher than
inside. As a result, water moves out of the cell
towards the higher concentration, leading to
water deficiency in the cell and ultimately
causing plasmolysis. This process
described(Abdul- Razzak, 2017) .
Water loss from plants by transpiration
is an inevitable inevitable result of the need to
open and close stomata for CO2 entry and
water loss through transpiration is
greater through the stomata than through the
cuticle. Leaf area index which is a measure
of canopy development, is very sensitive to
water stress, which resulting in a decrease in
leaf formation and expansion, increased
senescence and leaf shedding leaves, or both.
Leaf expansion is more sensitive to water
stress than stomatal closure. It goes on to say
that increased leaf senescence due to water
stress tends to occur on lower leaves, which are
life least active in photosynthesis and in the
provision of assimilate, so it has little effect on
yield (Suwasono, 1983).
Stomatal closure, caused by water
shortage in leaves, leads to a reduction in the
rate of CO2 absorption and ultimately decreases
photosynthesis. This closure is an important
happens protective mechanism in plants such as
in the mesophytes to counter severe water stress. The
timing and intensity of water stress can affect
the time it takes for seeds to mature. The depth
of rooting plays a significant role in water
absorption, with well-irrigated plants having
longer root systems compared to those in dry
areas. Reduced soil moisture content affects
root growth by limiting elongation, penetration
was depth, and diameter. Under mild to moderate
water stress, increased root growth becomes
crucial for accessing new water sources.
However, if water stress persists at high
intensity and for a long duration, it can lead to
greater crop yield reduction or complete failure.
(Hidayati Nuril.(2017).
Water serves several important
functions for plants. Firstly, it is a key
component in protoplasm formation, which is
essential for plant growth and development.
Additionally, water acts as a solvent, allowing
minerals to enter plants from the soil solution
and serving as a medium for metabolic
reactions. It plays a role in various metabolic
processes, such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle
and the production of hydrogen during
photosynthesis. Water also helps maintain cell
turgidity and acts as a mechanical force in cell
enlargement. Furthermore, it regulates plant
movements, including the opening and closing
of stomata, flowers, and the folding of leaves
in certain plants. Water is involved in cell
elongation, metabolism, respiration, and the
production of end products. Overall, water is
crucial for the functioning and survival of
plants.
3. RESEARCH METHODS
3.1. Time and Place
This practicum activity was carried out on
Friday, March 15, 2024 at 14.40 - 16.50 WITA
at the 3rd Floor Botany Laboratory, Department
of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural
Sciences, Makassar State University.
3.2. Tools and Materials
The tools used in unit 1.1 determine the
concentration of solutes in living plant cells,
namely plastic cups knives and scales. The
materials are potatoes and NaCl solutions of
10.0%, 0.9%, 5.0%, 1M, and 15.0%. In unit 1.2
measuring the water potential of plant tissues,
the tools used, namely plastic cups knives and
scales. While the materials, namely potatoes
and sucrose solution 0.1 m, 02 m, 0.3 m, 0.4 m,
0.5 m, and 0.6 m. In activity 1.3, plasmolysis
and deplasmolysis in epidermal tissue.
epidermal tissue. the tools used are
preparate glass microscopes and razor blades.
The materials are Rhoeo discolor plants,
distilled water, and 1M sucrose solution.
In unit 1.4 determination of cell fluid osmosis
pressure, the tools used in this activity are
preparate glass microscope and razor blade. The
materials are Rhoeo discolor plants and NaCl
solutions of 0.24 M, 0.22 M, 0.20 M, 0.18 M,
0.16 M, 0.14 M,0.12 M, and 0.10 M.
in unit 1.5 measuring tissue water
potential with the Chardakov method, namely 6
pipettes with a capacity of 10 mL, 6 test tubes,
6 cork drillers or syringes. While the materials,
namely tubers of several types of plants,
sucrose solution 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6 M,
and methylene blue.
Work Procedure
Unit 1.1 determine the concentration of
solutes in living plant cells. The initial steps
taken, namely preparing 5 plastic cups after that
inserting NaCl solutions of 10.0%, 0.9%, 5.0%,
1M, and 15.0% into plastic cups as much as 20
ml, then cutting potatoes in the form of blocks
with a length of 3 cm and then divided into 5
parts, then inserting potatoes into each NaCl
solution, after that observing the potatoes
immersed in the solution every 20 minutes, then
removing them again after 20 minutes.
5 parts, then put the potatoes into each
NaCl solution, after that observe the potatoes
immersed in the solution every 20 minutes, then
removed again after 20 minutes and then NaCl solution to do the above steps.
weighed. Unit 1.4 is the determination of cell
fluid osmosis pressure. The first step is to
20 minutes and then weighed. Do this
prepare the Rhoeo discolor (Adam hawa) plant,
repeatedly for 2 hours. The results obtained are
then cut the colored epidermis layer of the
then recorded and calculate the average size
plant, with a transverse incision and then
change in each potato in each Nacl solution
observe it on a microscope, count how many
and document.
colored cells are visible on the microscope.
Unit 1.2 was carried out measuring the
After that, prepare 4 plastic cups filled with
water potential of plant tissues, where the
0.18%, 0.2%, 022%, 0.24% NaCl solution,
initial step was carried out by preparing 6
then the incision was immersed into
plastic cups, then inserting a sucrose solution
each of these solutions. Then re-observe the
of 0.1 m, 02 m, 0.3 m, 0.4 m, 0.5 m, and 0.6 m
incision that has been soaked on a microscope.
in each plastic cup as much as 40 ml, then
count the colored cells visible on the
cutting a block-shaped potato with a length of
microscope. The results obtained were then
2.5 cm and then divided into 6 parts. After that,
recorded and documented.
the potatoes that had been cut were soaked in
Unit 1.5 is an activity to measure water
each solution in a plastic cup for 4 hours and
potential with the Chardakov method where the
then weighed. The results obtained were then
first step taken is a test tube filled with sucrose
recorded and documented.
solution according to the concentration of 10
Unit 1.3 is plasmolysis and
mL. Make pieces of tubers that will be
deplasmolysis in epidermal tissue. The first step
measured by water potential using a cork
is to cut the bottom surface of Rhoe discolor
drilling tool then insert in each test tube 10
using a razor blade, then observe under a
pieces of tissue earlier. The test tube was closed
microscope and observe the colored cells, after
and left for 80 minutes. Every 20 minutes the
that drip with 1M sucrose solution, observe the
test tube was shaken slowly. After 80 minutes,
decrease in protoplasm and note the non-
remove the fruit pieces from the test tube using
ligmented cytoplasmatic threads that remain
tweezers. Next, the remaining solution was
attached to the cell wall and then record the
dripped with the same concentration of the
length of the process, after that, the sucrose
original solution or had been stained with
solution is absorbed with tissue and then drip
methylene blue. Using a pipette or syringe, the
again with water and observe the deplasmolysis
test solution was dripped on the remaining
process and record how long it takes for the
solution slowly - land in the center of the
solution and then observed the movement of .
the test solution.

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Observation Results
4.1.1. Unit 1.1
Tabel 4.1.
Average Sample Cylinder Cut
Concentration Initial Size Average
Salt Solution Size
(centimeter)
(%) Change
0.0 12 12 12 12 12
0.9 12 4 6 4 4,66
5.0 12 8 8 6 7,33
10,0 12 8 8 8 8
15.0 12 8 8 8 9

4.1.2. Unit 1.2

Tabel 4.2

Sucrose Initial mass Final mass % Mass Change

concentration
0,1 M 2g 0,4 1,6
0,2 M 2g 0,2 1,7
0,3 M 2g 0,1 1,9
0,4 M 2g 0,1 1,9
0,5 M 2g 0,1 1,9
0,6 M 2g 0,1 1,9
4.1.3. Unit 1.3
Tabel 4.3
Deskripsi pengamatan sel Waktu plasmolisis-
Perlakuan
deplasmolisis
Distillate Epidermal cells that have color 20 minutes
water are bordered by cell walls in
normal circumstances
Sucrose 1M Epidermal cells that were 20 minutes
previously full after being dripped
with sucrose and observed for a
few minutes experienced a
decrease in volume and began to
shrink, not filling the cells

1M NaCl Epidermal cells which were 20 minutes

previously full after being dripped
experienced a decrease in cell
volume, becoming smaller in the
form of small spots in the purple
area

4.1.4. Unit 1.4

Tabel 4.4
Sucrose Solution at 20º Percentage of Plasmolysis
(%)
Osmotic Potential (Atm)
0.24 -6.4
0.22 -5.9
0.20 -5,3
0.18 -4.7 51,14 %
0.16 -4.2 16,6%
0.14 -3.7 60 %
0.12 -3.2 50 %
0.10 -2,6 50

4.1.5 . Unit 1.5.

Tabel 4.5
Sucrose Direction
concentration movement
0,1 M Flying
0,2 M Flying
0,3 M Flying
0,4 M Flying
0,5 M Flying
0,6 M Flying
 mechanisms and is assessed as a change in cells
4.1 Pembahasan
In the 1.1, This practicum aims to determine
the concentration of solute in plant cells by In the 1.2,, Determine the water

using potato material inserted into NaCl potential of potato tubers sliced cylindrical

solution (0,0, 0,9, 5,0 ; 10,0; 15,0). with each potato tubers are then formed into various

glass containing 20ml NaCl (saline solution). slices, each in the form of a thin sheet of

12 grams each. human. it is believed that we use a razor

Based on the observations, the results blade to make the human. after it is made

obtained in the glass 1 is a potato with an initial using enough water, dry it with a tissue

weight of 12 grams and then after being and weigh it as the initial weight. its initial

inserted into the glass 1 weighing 12 grams and weight is 3 grams. at a concentration of 0.2

then after being inserted into the Glass 2 is m, the final mass of 0.4 g had a mass

0.9% salt solution, potatoes decreased by 4.6.4 change of 1.6%. at a concentration of 0.3

gr then after being inserted into the Glass 3 is m mass 0.19 finally experienced a mass

5.0% salt solution by weight of potatoes by change of 1.7%. at a concentration of 0.4

8.8.6 gr in Glass 4 is 10.0% salt solution by m mass finally 0.1 g had a mass change of

weight of potatoes decreased to 8.8.8 gr in 1.9% so when inserted into alrutan sucrose

Glass 5 salt solution 15.0% by weight out into with high concentrations of mass changes

the hypertonic salt solution. when potatoes are in potatoes become smaller, because potato

soaked in plain water undergo diffusion where cells shrink DNA plasma membrane is

the water content outside the potato is greater pulled away from the cell wall called

so that the water tends to enter and cause the flamolidid. so water will move out of the

weight of the potato to increase(hypotonic). cell through the semipermeable membrane,

the thing that causes potatoes to change so the water will increase outside the cell.

color and texture after soaking using a mixture

In the 1.3,based on the observation, that in
of water and table salt is the concentration in
Rhode discolor plant cells, plasmolysis process
the potato cells is lower than the concentration
occurs when given sucrose and NaCl perekasi.
of water in the salt solution, so that substances
when reacted with sucrose and NaCl. vacuole
from the potato will move into the solution and
cells decreased in volume, this indicates that
cause the texture to get softer and softer and the
sucrose and NaCl have higher concentrations
thickness decreases. high concentrations of salts
(hypertonic) than cell concentrations (hypotonic).
are involved in the potato cells, thereby
when NaCl is dripped, the cytoplasm will shrink
reducing the pumeability of water using certain
away from the cell wall and over time will fade to
form purple patches. whereas in cells that are the more concentrated the concentration of the
reacted with sucrose, the cytoplasm will shrink glucose solution used to study rhoeo discolor
because water comes out of the vacuole and cells, the more cells would undergo plasmolysis
when the chloroplast is seen more clearly. because the water potential is directly
proportional to the osmosis potential, so the
The cytoplasm shrinks, the chloroplast
osmosis potential inside the cell is also greater
will dock so that it appears more clearly. in
than the osmosis outside the cell, causing the
sucrose solution, the cell wall contains
movement of water molecules. inside the cell out
chloroplasts or green pigment but disappears
of the cell. with the presence of purple
after being given sucrose solution. the
anthocyanin compounds contained in gluciaa
cytoplasmic fluid in the Acell shrinks and exits
which have different levels or moral values. As a
the cell
result, more and more cells will dilute.

In the 1.4,Results and discussion of the

In the 1.5, This experiment aims to know
results of administering glucose solution with 5
how to measure water potential by the method of
different concentrations, namely 0.1 0.12 0.14
chardakov. Main ingredients on this experiment
0.16 0.18 to the purple cells of rhoeo discolor
was a potato tuber (solanum tuberosum). Based
leaves with the working procedure of taking the
on experiments what we've done is concentrate
purple cells in the leaves by making an incision
sucrose 0.1 M has osmotic potential-2,7 with the
and then dripping glucose solutions with different
direction of movement of the solution drift. The
concentrations, but first the number of purple
concentration of 0.2 M has osmotic potential -5.3
cells contained in each incision can be counted so
with direction floating movement. Next on
that the percentage of plasmolysis can be
concentration of 0.3 M has potential osmotic of -
determined after giving the solution to the aged
8.1 with direction floating movement. Next
rheo discolor cells, wait for 13 minutes and
concentration of 0.4 M has potential osmotic -11,1
observe and then count
with movement drift. Last sucrose concentration
0.5 M with osmotic pressure -14.3drift. This
Then the result obtained is that of course a
shows more high concentration of sucrose
plasmolysis process occurs. This can occur if
solution,thenosmotic potential at a temperature of
plant cells are placed in a hypertonic liquid or a
20 degrees Celsius is decreasing / decreasing but
liquid whose concentration is higher than the cell
the direction of movement of the solution remains
concentration, then exmosis occurs, namely the
the same. Chardakov's method is one-fruit a
release of water from the contents of the cell out
solution that is treated different. The solution is
of the membrane. From the results of the analysis
soaked by potato pieces, soaking done for 80
from unit 1.4 it can be seen It was concluded that
minutes. Every 20 minutes appointed and Abdul-Razzak, W., & Abu-Zaitoon, Y. (2017).
dripped with methylene blue to facilitate Plasmolysis: a simple experimental
movement observation Soaking Solution. system to study plant cell shrinkage.
According To Knipling(1967), the proper Journal of Biological Methods, 4(4),
soaking solution being in the middle and not e75.
moving means the solution has the potential of Handoko, Akbar (2020). “HUBUNGAN
water the same with potato tissue. However, AIR DAN KEHILANGAN AIR
when the flow of water moves rise then the PADA TUMBUHAN.” Buku
solution is hypertonic against potato tissue so that Ajar Fisiologi Tumbuhan,
the water from potatoes come out. The exit of Fakultas Tarbiyah Dan
water from in potato cells towards the solution Keguruan, UIN Raden Intan
marinade causes increase in water potential (the Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia,
concentration of telarur substances decreases). So 2020, pp. 15–18.
that they are compared between the solution Hidayati Nuril.(2017).hubungan air dan
marinade and control solution, then the soaking tanaman di pelajari secara terintegrasi
solution becomes hypotonic to the control dengan model simulasi dinamik.5(2)-
solution. The opposite will occur in the Soaking 190
Solution that moves down Nurhasanah, N., Purnomo, D., & Hidayat, W.
(2015). Pengaruh Konsentrasi
Larutan NaCl Terhadap Tekanan
5. CONCLUSION Osmosis, Kadar Air dan
Based on the results of the experiment, it can Pertumbuhan Tumbuhan Cabai
be concluded that water is essential for plant Merah (Capsicum annum L.) jurnal
life. Osmosis and diffusion processes occur biologi universitas andalas 4(1),1-9
naturally in plants to obtain water and nutrients Supriyadi,D.7 Hidayat W.(2016).pengaruh
from the soil, as well as to remove metabolic larutan osmosis terhadap
waste. However, if there is a change in the pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman
concentration of water inside and outside the kentang (solanum tuberosum
plant cell, it can affect the osmotic balance and L.0jurnal agroteknologi,10(2),66-74.
result in plasmolysis or deflation of the cell. Song N. & Torey P. (2018). Root
Therefore, it is important to maintain the morphological characters as water-
balance of water inside and outside plant cells deficit indicators in plants. 3(2): 47-
so that plants can grow and develop properly. 51
6. REFERENSI Tjahjoleksono,A & Winarno A. (2018)
pengaruh perlakuan air pada
pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman
kedelai (Glycine max L.) di lahan
pasir Pantai .jurnal
agroekoteknologi,3(3),755-764.
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