Stomatal transpiration accounts for what percentage of water loss?

Options

A. 10-50 %
B. 50-97 %
C. 35-80%
D. 50-75%

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Transpiration**: Transpiration is the process by which excess water is lost from plants, primarily in the form of water vapor. This process is crucial for maintaining water balance and facilitating nutrient transport within the plant.

2. **Types of Transpiration**: There are three main types of transpiration in plants:
- **Cuticular Transpiration**: This occurs through the cuticle, a waxy layer covering the leaves. It accounts for about 3-10% of total transpiration.
- **Stomatal Transpiration**: This is the most significant form of transpiration, occurring through small openings called stomata, primarily located on the leaves. It accounts for a substantial percentage of water loss.
- **Lenticular Transpiration**: This occurs through lenticels, which are small openings on the woody parts of plants. It accounts for about 0-1% of total transpiration.

3. **Percentage of Water Loss through Stomata**: According to the information provided, stomatal transpiration accounts for approximately 50-97% of the total water loss in plants. This indicates that stomata play a critical role in the transpiration process.

4. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the percentage of water loss accounted for by stomatal transpiration is predominantly high, ranging from 50% to 97%.

**Final Answer**: Stomatal transpiration accounts for approximately 50-97% of water loss in plants.

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