A new method for measurement of hydraulic conductivity and elastic coefficients in higher plant cells using an external force

Abstract

A small external force is used to produce deformation of the cells and an increase in internal hydrostatic pressure in onion epidermis cells. The subsequent change in cell layer thickness is measured as a function of time. The theory is developed to show that, for sufficiently small forces, this measurement provides enough information to determine cell membrane hydraulic conductivity and elastic modulus, and some results are given. This method should be applicable to sections containing several layers of cells from other kinds of higher plant tissue.