Root Air Space Measurements by a Pycnometer Method¹

Abstract

Abstract The air space fraction, or porosity, of plant roots is important to their internal aeration. Root porosity can be calculated from the following measurements: the weight of a sample of the roots in a pycnometer bottle filled with water; the weight of the root sample alone; the weight of the homogenate after ball milling the sample; and the weight of the bottle filled with water only. Results are variable and a mean of 10 samples must be obtained.