Leaf Temperature of Radish (Raphanus sativus) in Response to

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Leaf Temperature of Radish (Raphanus sativus) in
Response to Increased Transpiration under
Hypobaric Conditions

• Justin Peterson
• PI Phil Fowler

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Project Description

• Increasing interest in the possibility of a human
  mission to Mars has generated a growing desire to
  understand how plants respond to growth in
  low-pressure environments. This research seeks
  to establish a relationship between plant
  transpiration and leaf temperature at low
  pressures.

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The Project
Radishes were subjected to tests of two hours at
pressures of 10 kPa, 25 kPa, 50 kPa and 101 kPa.
Infrared temperature sensors and thermocouples
inserted into the leaf were used to measure
changes in temperature as transpiration
increased. Variables such as air temperature and
humidity were controlled and recorded during the
experiments.
Bell-Jar Apparatus during low-pressure test
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Results

• Leaf temperature decreased under hypobaria in
  response to increased transpiration.
• These results impact our understanding of how
  plants react to low pressures.
• More detailed research is needed in which various
  species of plants are subjected to similar tests
  at wider temperature and pressure ranges.